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PhotDgrapbic 

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Corporation 


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CIHM/ICMH 

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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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Tl 

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of 
fil 


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be 
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sit 
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Th 
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Til 
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empreinte. 

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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

t 

2 

3 

4 

• 

• 

HISTORY 


INDIAN   TEIBES 

OF 

flortli  Jmcrita, 

WITH   BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  AND   ANECDOTES 

or  TilK 

PRINCirAL  CHIEFS. 


i;miu;i  i.i-iii:h  \vi  ni 


(iMghtij   Povtvrtits  from  tl)c  Mitim  iPnllcrn 


•,AU  DKl'AliT.MKNT  AT  \VASIIIN(iT()N. 


BY  THOMAS  L.  >[■  KENNEY, 

T.ATi:     OF     Till:     INIUAN      1>  K  I' A  K  T  M  E  N  T  ,     W  A  S  11  1  N  li  T  cl  N  . 


TWO  VOLS.  I'l.ATKS.— TWO  VOI.S.  TEXT. 

VOL.    I.— TEXT. 


^  VIC^^''^'  I'UBLl.SlIKl)  BY  1).  RICE  &  CO. 


r^ 
^ 


.-)0H  MIXOU  .STUKKT. 


UJjo 


V.  I 


This  edition  of  tiie  "  HisnjuY  oi-  the  Indian  Triiiks  i>i- 
NoKTii  America  "  consists  of  two  volumes,  folio,  containin^t,'-  80 
Largk  Cdi.orki)  PoRiRAirs,  and  two  volumes,  imp(,'rial  8vo.,  con- 
taining historical  and  descriptive  text,  and  is  Limiti-.d  id  35  Skis, 
of  which  this  is  Ku ..^  •'./. 


BUFFALO  HUNT. 


The  frontispiece  prefixed  to  this  volume  exhibits  a  lively  repre- 
sentation of  the  noblest  sport  practised  upon  this  continent — the 
hunting  of  the  buflJalo.  These  animals  were  formerly  spread  over 
the  whole  of  the  great  western  valley,  and  formed  the  most  important 
article  of  food,  not  only  for  the  natives,  but  the  early  white  settlers 
of  that  fertile  region.  They  retired  as  the  country  became  settled 
by  civilized  men,  and  are  now  found  only  on  the  great  prairies  of 
the  far  West,  whose  immense  extent,  with  the  scarcity  of  timber 
and  water,  readers  them  uninhabitable  by  human  beings.  Here 
these  animals  are  seen  congregated  in  numbers  which  seem  almost 
incredible.  As  the  eye  roves  over  a  verdant  surface,  nearly  as 
boundless  as  that  of  the  ocean,  the  herds  are  beheld  grazing  over 
the  whole  of  the  wide  space,  in  countless  multitude. 

The  buifalo,  though  large  and  unwieldy,  is  not  easily  approached 
by  the  hunter.  Extremely  vigilant,  and  gifted  witli  an  exquisite 
sense  of  smelling,  they  readily  discover  the  scent  of  a  human  being. 
and  fly  before  him  with  precipitation.  The  Indians  overcome  this 
wariness  by  a  variety  of  devices.  Sometimes,  having  killed  the 
prairie  wolf,  of  which  the  buffalo  lias  no  fear,  an  Indian  wraps  him- 
self in  the  skin,  keeping  tlie  head  in  its  proper  position,  and  drags 
himself  slowly  towards  the  grazing  herd,  talcing  care  to  advance 
from  the  leeward,  so  that  the  watchful  animal  shall  not  seem  his 
approach  upon  the  tainted  breeze.  When  the  object  is  tirst  seen, 
the  buffaloes  raise  their  heads,  and  eye  it  suspiciously,  but  the 
appearance  of  the  wolf's  head,  with  which  they  are  familiar,  reus- 


■listorv  Dcpt. 

VICTORIA,   B.  G. 


ppr\\V. 
"pRO^Tir-i-r:  ^:A -.J  fc.-v,"-i^^ ARY 


BIOGRAPHY. 


sures  tliem — nor  are  they  undeceived  until  tlieir  wily  foe  darts  his 
arrow  into  one  of  the  fattest  of  the  herd,  with  an  aim  so  true,  that 
it  is  sure  to  pierce  a  vital  part,  ritfalls  and  inclosures  are  also 
sometimes  contrived.  But,  although  these  devices  are  practised, 
the  number  thus  taken  is  inconsiderable ;  and  the  only  mode  of 
taking  this  noble  prey,  which  is  commonly  practised,  is  that  of 
meeting  him  openly  in  the  field.  For  this  purpose  most  of  the 
tril)cs  who  reside  in  the  vicinity  of  the  great  plains,  resort  to  them, 
after  having  planted  their  corn  in  the  spring,  and  spend  the  whole 
summer  and  autumn  in  the  chase.  As  the  bufl'alocs  often  change 
their  pastures,  and  the  laws  which  direct  their  migrations  are  but 
imperfectly  known,  the  wanderings  of  the  natives  in  search  of  them 
are  often  long  and  wearisome ;  hundreds  of  miles  are  sometimes 
traversed  by  a  wayworn  and  starving  band,  before  they  are  glad- 
dened by  the  sight  of  their  favorite  game.  Sometimes  they  are 
mocked  by  discovering  the  foot-prints  of  a  retreating  herd,  which 
they  pursue  for  days  with  unavailing  toil ;  not  unfrcquently  a  hos- 
tile clan  crosses  their  track,  and  they  are  obliged  to  diverge  from 
their  intended  course;  ami  sometimes  having  reached  a  suitable 
hunting-ground,  they  find  it  preoccupied  by  those  with  whom  they 
cannot  safely  mingle,  nor  prudently  contend. 

At  last  the  young  men,  who  scout  in  advance  of  the  main  body, 
espy  the  black,  slow,  moving  mass,  wading  in  the  rich  pasture,  and 
preparations  are  made  for  a  grand  hunt.  An  encampment  is  made 
at  a  spot  affording  fuel  and  water ;  the  women  erect  lodges,  and  all 
is  joy  and  bustle.  But  the  hunting  is  not  commenced  without  due 
solenniity.  It  is  not  a  mere  sport  in  which  they  are  about  to 
engage,  but  a  national  business,  that  is  to  supply  the  summer's 
sustenance  and  the  winter's  store,  as  well  as  to  afford  a  harvest  of 
valuable  articles  for  traflSc.  Horses  and  harness  are  inspected ; 
weapons  are  put  in  order;  the  medicine  men  practi.se  incantations; 
offerings  are  made  to  the  Great  Spirit;  the  solemnities  of  the 
dance  are  gone  through ;  and  the  more  superstitious  of  the  warriors 


BUFFALO   HUNT.  5 

orten  impose  upon  themselves  the  austerities  of  fasting,  wounding 
the  body,  and  incessant  prayer,  during  the  night,  or  even  a  longer 
period,  preceding  the  hunt.     Duly  prepared  at  length,  they  mount 
for  the  chase,  well  furnished  with  arms,  but  divested  of  all  super- 
lluous  clothing  and  furniture— and  approach  the  herd  cautiously 
from  the  leeward,-keeping  some  copse,  or  swell  of  the  land,  between 
themselves  and  the  game,  until  they  get  near  enough  to  charge, 
when  the  whole  band  rush  at  full  speed  upon  the  herd.     The 
affrighted  buffaloes  fly  at  the  first  appearance  of  their  enemies. 
The  hunters  pursue;  each  selects  his  prey,  choosing  with  ready 
skill  the  finest  and  fattest  of  those  near  Inm.     The  horse  beinn-  the 
fleeter  animal,  soon  overtakes  the  buffalo.     The  hunter  drops  the 
bridle-rein,  fixes  his  arrow,  and  guiding  his  well-trained  horse  with 
his  heel,  and  by  the  motion  of  his  own  body,  watches  his  oppor- 
tunity to  let  fly  the  weapon  with  fatal  aim.     This  he  does  not  do 
until  his  steed  is  abreast  of  the  buffalo,  and  the  vital  part,  imme- 
diately behind  the  shoulder,  fairly  presented ;  for  it  is  considered 
disgraceful  to  discharge  an  arrow  without  effect.     Usually,  there- 
fore, the  wound  is  fatal,  and  instances  have  been  known  when  the 
missile  has  been  sent  with  such  force  as  to  pass  through  the  body 
of  this  sturdy  quadruped.     If,  however,  the  first  arrow  is  but  par- 
tially successful,  the  hunter  draws  another,  the  horse  continuin"- 
to  run  by  the  side  of  the  buffalo.     But  the  chase  now  becomes 
more  dangerous,  for  the  wounded  buffalo  not  unfrequently  turns 
upon  his  assailant,  and  dashing  his  horns  furiously  into  the  flank 
of  the  horse,  prostrates  him,  mortally  wounde(5,  on  the  plain,  and 
pursuing  his  advantage,  tramples  on  horse  and  rider,  unless  the 
latter  escapes  by  mere  agility.     When,  however,  the  hunter  dis- 
covers that  the  first  or  second  arrow  has  taken  effect,  he  reins  up 
his  steed,  pauses  a  moment  until  he  sees  the  huge  beast  reel  and 
tumble,  and  then  dashes  away  into  the  chase  to  select  and  slay 
another  victim.      Thus  an  expert  and  well-mounted  hunter  will 
kill  several  buffaloes  in  one  day— es])ecially  if  the  band  be  nume. 


6 


BIOGRAPHY. 


rous,  and  so  divided  as  to  have  reserved  pnrties  to  meet  and  drive 
back  the  retreating  herd. 

When  the  sliiughter  ceases,  the  hunters  retrace  their  steps  to 
gather  the  spoil,  and  the  sqiuuvs  rash  to  the  field  to  cut  uj)  and  carry 
away  the  game.  Eacli  hunter  now  claims  his  own,  and  the  mode  of 
ascertaining  their  respective  shares  is  simple.  Tlio  arrows  of  each 
hunter  bear  a  distinctive  mark,  and  each  carries  an  equal  num- 
ber. The  carcase,  therefore,  belongs  to  him  by  whose  arrow  it  is 
found  to  be  transfi.xcd;  and  these  being  carefully  withdrawn,  every 
hunter  is  obliged  to  produce  his  original  number,  or  to  account 
for  the  loss  of  such  as  arc  missing,  in  default  of  which  ho  sufl'ers 
the  discredit  of  having  missed  the  object,  or  permitted  a  wounded 
buffalo  to  escape  with  a  weapon  in  his  llcih. 

The  animating  scene  which  we  have  endeavored  to  describe, 
will  be  better  understood  by  an  inspection  of  the  beautiful  drawing 
of  Rhinedesbacker,  a  young  Swiss  artist  of  uncommon  talent, 
who,  lured  by  his  love  of  the  picturescjue,  wandered  far  to  the 
West,  and  spent  several  years  iipon  our  frontier,  employing  his 
pencil  on  subjects  connected  with  the  Indian  modes  of  life.  His 
was  the  fate  of  genius.  His  labors  were  unknown  and  unre- 
quited. Few  who  saw  the  ex(iui.site  touches  of  liis  pencil  knew 
their  merit.  Th^y  knew  them  to  be  graphic,  but  valued  slightly 
the  mimio  presentations  of  familiar  realities.  They  miglit  won- 
der at  the  skill  which  placed  on  canvass  the  war-dance,  or  the 
buffalo-hunt,  but  they  could  not  prize  as  they  deserved,  the  copies 
of  exciting  scenes  which  they  had  familiarly  witnessed.  Since  his 
death  these  beautiful  pictures  have  attracted  attention,  and  some 
of  them  have  passed  into  the  possession  of  those  by  whom  they 
are  properly  appreciated.  In  that  which  graces  tViis  number  there 
are  slight  defects,  which  we  notice  only  because  we  are  jealous  of 
the  fidelity  of  our  work.  The  prominent  figure  in  the  foreground 
is  a  little  too  much  encumbered  with  drapery.  The  costume  is 
correct  in  itself,  but  misplaced  ;  and  there  is  a  slight  inaccuracy  in 


BUFFALO    HUNT.  ^ 

the  mode  in  wijicli  tlic  iwi-aw  is  yraspcd  \,y  tlic  n'l^ht  liaiul.  All 
else  is  true  to  nature.  The  lantLscapc  and  llio  animals  are  faith- 
fully depicted;  and  the  wild  scene  wliieli  is  daily  acted  u])on  our 
prairies,  is  placed  vividly  heforc  the  eye. 

The  chase  over,  a  scene  not  less  animated,  but  widely  different, 
is  presented.     The  slaughtered  animals  are  cut  up,  and  the  mo.st 
valuable  parts  carried  to  the  camp.     A  busy  scene  ensues.     The 
delicious  humps  arc  roasted  and  the  warriors  feast  to  .satiety.     The 
laborious  squaws  prepare  the  skins  for  use,  and  for  market,  and  the 
meat  for  preservation.     The  hitter  is  cut  in  thin  slices  and  dried  in 
the  sun  or  over  a  slow  fire,  anti  is  then  packed  in  small  compact 
bales,  suitable  to  be  carried.     If,  however,  more  is  taken  than  can 
be  conveniently  transported,  the  surplus  is  buried  in  holes,  which 
our  hunters  call  cacJics — from  the  French  word  which  signifies  to 
hide..    A  cache  is  a  hole  dug  in  a  dry  spot,  and  carefully  lined  with 
bark,  grass,  or  skins,  in  w  liich  the  Indians  deposit  jerked  meat,  or 
any  other  valuables  which  they  cannot  conveniently  carry  away. 
They  are  carefully  covered  over,  and  the  leaves  and  rubbish  that 
naturally  cover  the  ground  replaced,  so  that  the  deposit  is  com- 
pletely concealed.     Property  thus  left  is  reclaimed  at  leisure,  and 
sometimes  furnishes  timely  relief  to  a  lamished  war  party,  or  an 
unsuccessful  band  of  hunters.    The  skins  of  the  buffaloes  are  very 
'"ngeniously  dressed  by  the  Indian  women,  either  with  or  without 
ti.--  hair.     This  is  done  liy  partially  drying  the  hide,  then  rubbing 
It  1  iboriously  from  day  to  day,  with  the  brains  of  the  animal,  until 
the  juices  and  fleshy  parts  are  entirely  ab.sorbed,  and  the  fibre  only 
left,  which  remains  soft,  A\hitc,  and  flexible.     The  lodges  of  the 
Indians  and  their  clothing  are  made  of  these  dressed  skins;  and 
immense  quantities  are  annually  sold  to  the  traders. 


BIOCrllAPJIY. 


IU:J)  JACKIiT. 

TiiK  Scno'^.i  tribe  was  tlie  most  iiKportnnt  of  the  ccloljratcd  con- 
federacy, known  in  llic  early  liistory  of  tlie  vVinorican  colonies,  as 
the  Iroquois,  or  Five  Nations.  Tiiey  were  a  iiowerl'ul  and  Marlilve 
people,  and  acquired  a  great  ascendency  over  the  surroundincr  tribes, 
as  well  by  their  prowess,  as  by  the  systematic  skill  Avith  which  their 
affairs  seem  to  have  been  conducted.  Their  hunting-jrrounds,  and 
l)riiicipal  residenco,  were  in  the  fertile  lands,  now  embraced  in  the 
western  limits  of  the  State  of  New  York— a  country  whose  prolific 
soil,  and  majestic  Ibrests,  whose  limpid  streams,  and  chain  of  pic- 
turesque lakes,  and  whose  vicinity  to  the  shores  of  Erie  and  Onta- 
rio, must  have  rendered  it,  in  its  savage  state,  the  paradise  of  the 
native  hunter.  Surrounded  Ijy  all  tliat  could  render  tlie  wilderness 
attractive,  l)y  the  greatest  luxuriance  of  nature,  and  by  the  most 
pleasing,  as  well  as  the  most  sublime  scenery,  and  inheriting  proud 
recollections  of  poAver  and  conquest,  these  tribes  were  among  the 
foremost  in  resisting  the  intrusion  of  the  wliites,  and  the  most  tardy 
to  surrender  their  independence.  Instead  of  receding  before  the 
European  race,  as  its  rajiidly  accumulating  population  pressed  ujjou 
then-  border.s,  they  tenaciously  mahitained  their  ground,  and  when 
forced  to  make  cessions  of  territory  to  the  whites,  reserved  lai-ge 
tracts  for  their  own  i.se,  which  they  continued  to  occupy.  The 
swelling  tide  has  passed  over  and  settled  around  them;  and  a  little 

(9) 


10 


BIOGRAPHY. 


remnant  of  that  once  proud  and  fierce  people,  remains  broken  and 
flispiritcd,  in  tiie  heart  of  a  civiUzed  country,  mourning  over  the 
ruins  of  savage  grandeur,  yet  spuming  the  richer  blessings  enjoyed 
by  the  civilized  man  and  the  Christian.  A  few  have  embraced  our 
religion,  and  learned  our  arts;  but  the  greater  part  have  dwindled 
away  under  the  blasting  elTects  of  idleness,  intemperance,  and  su- 
perstition. 

Red  Jacket  was  tlie  last  of  the  Seneca s :  there  are  many  left  who 
may  boast  the  aboriginal  name  and  lineage,  but  with  him  expired 
all  that  had  remained  of  the  spirit  of  the  tribe.  In  the  following 
noti(!e  of  that  eminent  man  we  pursue,  chiofly,  the  narrative  fnr- 
nishcd  us  by  a  di.stinguislied  gentleman,  whose  information  on  this 
subject  is  as  authentic,  as  his  ability  to  do  it  justice  is  unquestion- 
able. 

That  is  a  truly  affecting  and  highly  poetical  conception  of  an 
American  poetess,  which  traces  the  memorials  of  the  aborigines  of 
America,  in  the  beautiful  nomenclature  which  they  have  indehbly 
impressed  on  the  scenery  of  our  coiintry.  Our  mountains  have 
become  their  endvn-ing  monuments;  and  their  epitaph  is  inscribed, 
ni  the  lucid  language  of  nature,  on  our  majestic  rivers. 

"  Ye  say  lli:il  ;ill  lirivo  pap^f(l  away, 

'I'lic  nohlo  rat'C  ami  hrave — 
Tliat  llicir  liglit  Ciinncs  have  vaiiislmd 

From  olT  llip  (Teslpil   wavii ; 
Tliat,  'mill  the  (ornsls  where  lliny   roamed, 

'JMierc  rinses  no  liiiiiter's  shout; 
Hilt  their  name  is  on   your  waters, 

Ye  may  not  wash  it  out. 


'  Ye  say  tiieir  cone-liUe  cabins 
'JMiat  clustered  o'er  the  vale, 
Have  disappeared  as  withered  h'aves 
Before  the  autuiiin  iialc ; 


RED   JACFvET. 

But  tlieir  memory  livnth  on  your  hills, 
Their  bapiism  on  your  shore; 

Your  ever  rolling  rivers  speak, 
Their  dialect  of  yore." 


11 


These  associations  are  well  filled  to  excite  sentiments  of  deeper 
emotion  than  poetic  tenderness,  and  of  more  painful  and  practical 
effect.  They  stand  the  landmarks  of  our  broken  vows  and  unatoned 
oppression;  and  they  not  only  stare  us  in  the  face  from  every  hill 
and  every  stream,  that  bears  those  expiessivc  names,  but  they  hold 
up  before  all  nations,  and  before  God,  the  memorials  of  our  injustioe. 

There  is,  or  was,  an  Indian  artist,  self-taught,  who,  in  a  rude  but 
most  graphic  drawing,  exlubitcd  upon  canvass  the  events  of  a  treaty 
between  the  white  men  and  an  Indian  tribe.  The  scene  was  laid 
at  the  moment  of  settling  the  terms  of  a  compact,  after  the  proposals 
of  our  government  had  been  weighed,  and  well  nigh  rejected  by  the 
Indians.  The  two  prominent  figm-es  in  the  front  ground,  were  an 
Indian  chief,  attired  in  his  peculiar  costume,  standing  in  a  hesi- 
tating posture,  with  a  hand  half  extended  towards  a  scroll  han<nno- 
partly  unrolled  from  the  h;uid  of  the  other  figure.  The  latter  was 
an  American  oflicer  in  fiill  dress,  offering  with  one  hand  the  un- 
signed treaty  to  the  reluctant  savage,  while  with  the  other  he  pre- 
sents a  musket  and  bayonet  to  his  breast.  I'liis  jiicture  was 
exhibited  some  years  ago  near  Lewistown,  New  York,  as  the  pro- 
duction of  a  man  of  the  Tuscarora  tribe,  named  Ci/sick.  It  Mas  an 
affecting  appeal  from  the  Inchnn  to  the  w  hite  man  •  ^  ;  :i]though, 
in  point  of  fact,  the  Indians  hi-.vc  never  been  compelled,  by  direct 
force,  to  part  a\  ith  their  lands,  yet  we  have  triumphed  over  them 
by  our  superior  power  and  intelligence,  and  there  is  a  moral  truth 
iu  the  pii'ture.  which  reiurscnts  the  savage  as  yielding  from  fear 
that  which  his  judgmout  and  his  attachments  would  have  withheld. 

We  do  not  design  to  intimate  that  our  colonial  and  national  trans- 
actions with  the  Indians  have  been  uniformly,  or  even  haljituall-y 


li 


BIOGRAPHY. 


unjust.  Ou  1hc  contrary,  tlie  treaties  of  Pcnu,  and  of  AVa.sliinj^ton, 
and  some  of  those  of  the  Puritans,  to  name  no  others,  are  honorahle 
to  those  who  presided  at  their  structure  and  execution;  and  teach 
us  how  important  it  is  to  be  just  and  magnanimous  in  public,  as 
well  as  in  personal  acts.  Noi  do  we  at  all  believe  that  anigrating 
tribes,  small  in  number,  and  of  very  unsettled  habits  of  life,  have 
any  right  to  appropriate  to  themselves,  as  hmiting-grounds  and 
battle-fields,  those  large  domains  which  God  designed  to  be  re- 
claimed from  the  wilderness,  and  \\hich,  under  the  culture  of  civil- 
ized man,  are  adapted  to  sustain  niilHons  of  human  beings,  and  to 
be  made  subservient  to  the  noblest  purposes  of  human  thought  and 
industry.  Nor  can  wo  in  justice  charge,  exclusively,  upon  the 
white  population,  the  corrujjting  influence  of  tlieir  intercourse  with 
the  Indian  tribes.  There  is  to  be  presupposed  no  little  vice  and 
bad  propensity  on  the  part  of  the  savages,  evinced  in  the  facility 
with  which  they  liecame  the  willing  captives,  and  ultimate  victims 
of  that  "knowledge  of  eA'il,"  which  our  people  have  imparted  to 
them.  The  treachery  also  of  the  Indian  tribes,  ou  our  defenceless 
frontiers,  tlieir  untameable  ferocity,  their  brutal  mode  of  warfare, 
and  their  systematic  indulgence  of  the  principle  of  revenge,  have 
too  often  assumed  the  most  terrific  forms  of  wiclcedness  and  destruc- 
tion towards  our  confiding  emigrants.  It  is  dilTicult  to  decide  be-, 
twecn  parties  thus  placed  in  positions  of  antagonism,  involving  a 
long  series  of  mutual  aggressions,  inexcusable  on  citlier  side,  upon 
any  exact  principle  of  rectitude,  yet  palliated  on  both  by  counter- 
balancing provocation.  So  far  as  our  government  has  been  con- 
cerned, the  system  of  intercourse  with  the  Indians  has  been  founded 
in  biMicvolence,  and  marked  b3'a  forbearing  temper;  but  that  policy 
has  been  thwarted  by  individual  avarice,  and  perverted  by  unfaith- 
ful or  injudicious  administration.  After  all,  however,  the  burden 
of  guilt  must  be  conceded  to  lie  upon  the  party  having  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  power,  civilization  and  Christianity,  whose  jiosition 
placed  them  in  the   paternal  relation  towards  these  scattered  chil- 


RED  JACKET. 


13 


dren  of  the  forest.  All  the  controlling  interests  of  the  tribes  tended 
to  instil  in  them  sentiments  of  fear,  of  dependence,  of  peace,  antl 
even  of  friendship,  towards  their  more  powerful  neighbors ;  and  it 
lias  chiefly  been  when  we  have  chafed  them  to  madness  by  mces- 
sant  and  unneccssai  y  encroachment,  and  by  unjust  treaties,  or  when 
they  have  been  seduced  from  their  fidelity  by  the  enemies  of  our 
country,  that  they  ha\e  been  so  unwise  as  to  provoke  our  resent- 
ment by  open  hostility.  These  wars  have  uniformly  terminated  in 
new  demands  on  our  part,  in  ever-growing  accessions  from  their 
continually  diminishing  soil,  until  the  small  reservations,  which 
they  have  been  permitted  to  retain  in  the  bosom  of  our  territory,  are 
scarcely  large  enough  to  support  the  living,  or  hide  the  dead,  of 
these  miserable  remnants  of  once  powerful  tribes. 

It  is  not  our  purpose,  ho\vevcr,  to  argue  the  grave  questions 
growing  out  of  our  relations  with  tins  uitcrcsting  race ;  but  only  to 
make  that  brief  reference  to  them,  which  seems  miavoidably  con- 
nected with  the  biographical  sketch  we  are  about  to  give,  of  a  cliicf 
who  was  uniformly,  through  life,  the  able  advocate  of  the  rights  of 
his  tribe,  and  the  fearless  opposcr  of  all  encroachment — one  who 
was  not  awed  by  the  Avhite  man's  power,  nor  seduced  by  his  pro- 
fessions of  friendshi[). 

From  the  best  information  we  can  obtain,  it  appears  probable, 
that  this  celebrated  chief -"vas  born  about  A.  D.  175G,  at  the  place 
formerly  called  "  Old  Ciustle,"  now  embraced  in  the  town  of  Seneca, 
Ontario  County,  in  ilie  State  of  New  York,  and  three  miles  west  of 
the  present  beautiful  village  of  Geneva.  His  Indian  name  was  Sa- 
(lo-you-wnt-ha,  or  Keeper  awake,  which,  A\-ith  :he  usual  appropriate- 
ness of  the  native  nomenclature,  indicates  the  vigilance  of  his  cha- 
racter, lie  acquired  the  more  familiar  name,  which  he  bore  through 
life  among  white  men,  in  tlie  following  manner.  During  the  v\ar 
of  the  revolution,  the  Seneca  tribe  fought  under  the  British  stand- 
aril.  Though  he  had  scarcely  reached  the  years  of  manhood,  ho 
engaged  in  the  war,  was  much  distinguished  by  his  activity  and 


14 


BIO(iRAPIIY. 


intelligence,  and  altnioled  llie  alteulioii  of  llio  Britisli  ofTicers.  One 
of  them  presented  him  with  a  rieldy  eniliroidered  scarl(,'t  jacket, 
wliicli  lie  took  great  pride  in  wearing.  \\'!Len  this  was  worn  out, 
he  w.is  presented  with  another;  and  ho  continued  to  wear  this  pecu- 
liar dross  until  it  l)ocanic  a  mark  of  distinction,  and  gave  him  tho 
name  by  which  lie  was  afterwards  best  known.  As  lately  as  tho 
treaty  of  17!)1,  Captain  Parish,  to  whose  kindness  wo  arc  indebted 
for  some  of  these  details,  ])rcsented  him  witli  another  red  jacket,  to 
per])etuatc  a  name  to  which  ho  was  so  much  attached. 

AVhen  but  seventeen  years  old,  the  abilities  of  Red  Jacket, 
especially  his  activity  in  tho  chase,  and  his  remarkably  tenacious 
memory,  attracted  the  esteem  and  admiration  of  his  tribe ;  and  he 
was  frcipiently  enii)loyed  during  the  war  of  tlie  revolution,  as  a 
runner,  to  carry  despatches.  In  that  contest  he  took  Uttlo  or  no 
part  as  a  warrior ;  and  it  would  appear  that,  like  his  celebrated  pre- 
decessors in  rhetorical  fame,  Demosthenes  and  Cicero,  he  better 
understood  how  to  rouse  his  countrymen  to  war,  than  to  lead  them 
to  victory.  The  warlike  chief,  Corn  Plant,  boldly  cliarged  him 
with  want  of  courage,  and  his  conduct  (jn  one  occasion  at  least 
seems  to  have  fully  justified  the  charge.  During  the  expedition  of 
the  American  General  Sullivan  against  the  Indians  in  1779,  a  stand 
was  attempted  to  be  made  against  him  by  Corn  Plant,  on  the  beach 
of  the  Canandaigua  lake.  On  the  approach  of  the  American  army, 
a  small  number  of  the  Iiii'ians,  among  whom  was  Red  Jacket, 
began  to  retreat.  Corn  Plant  exerted  himself  to  rally  them.  He 
threw  himself  before  Red  Jacket,  and  endeavored  to  i)re\ail  on 
him  to  fight,  in  vain;  when  the  indignant  chief,  turning  to  the 
young  wife  of  the  recreant  warrior,  exclaimed,  "  leave  that  man,  he 
is  a  coward." 

There  is  no  small  evidence  of  the  transcendent  abilities  of  this 
distinguished  individual,  to  be  found  in  the  fai't  of  his  rising  into 
the  highest  rank  among  his  jieople,  though  believed  by  them  to  be 
destitute  of  the  virtue  which  thev  hold  in  the  greatest  estimation. 


RED   JACKET. 


15 


The  savage  admires  those  qualities  which  are  pecuhar  to  liis  mmie 
of  life,  and  are  most  practically  useful  in  the  vicissitudes  to  which 
It  is  incident.  Courage,  strength,  swiftness,  and  cunning,  are  indis- 
pensably necessary  in  the  constantly  recurring  scenes  of  the  battle 
and  the  chase ;  while  the  most  patient  fortitude  is  required  in  the 
endurance  of  the  pain,  hunger,  and  exposure  to  all  extremes  of  cli- 
mate, to  which  the  Indian  is  continually  subjected.  Ignorant  and 
uncultivated,  they  have  few  intellectual  wants  or  endowments,  and 
place  but  little  value  upon  any  display  of  genius,  which  is  not  com. 
bined  with  the  art  of  the  warrior.  To  this  rule,  eloquence  forms 
an  exception.  Whore  there  is  any  government,  however  rude, 
there  must  be  occasional  assemblies  of  the  people;  where  war  and 
peace  are  made,  the  chiefs  of  the  contending  parties  will  meet  in 
council;  and  on  such  occasions  the  sagacious  counsellor,  and  able 
orator,  will  rise  above  him  whose  powers  are  merely  physical.  But 
under  any  circumstances,  courage  is  so  essential,  in  a  barbarous 
community,  where  battle  and  violence  are  continually  occurring, 
where  the  right  of  the  strongest  is  the  paramount  law,  and  where 
life  itself  must  be  supported  by  its  exposure  in  procuring  the  means 
of  subsistence,  that  we  can  scarcely  imagine  how  a  coward  can  be 
respected  among  savages,  or  how  an  individual  without  courage 
can  rise  to  superior  sway  among  such  fierce  spirits. 

But  thou"-h  not  distintruished  as  a  warrior,  it  seems  that  Red 
Jacket  was  not  destitute  of  bravery ;  for  on  a  subsequent  occasion, 
tlie  stain  affixed  upon  his  character,  on  the  occasion  alluded  to,  was 
wiped  away  by  his  good  conduct  in  the  field.  The  true  causes, 
I  .  ver,  of  his  great  influence  in  his  tribe,  were  his  transcendent 
talents,  and  the  circumstances  under  which  he  lived.  In  times  of 
public  caUimity  the  alnlities  of  great  men  are  appreciated,  and  called 
into  action.  Red  Jacket  came  upon  the  theatre  of  active  life,  when 
tlie  power  of  his  tribe  had  declined,  and  its  extinction  was  threat 
ened.  The  white  man  was  advancing  upon  them  with  gigantic 
strides.  The  red  warrior  had  appealed,  ineffectually,  to  arms;  his 
3 


16 


BIOGRAPHY. 


cuniiino  had  been  foiled,  and  his  strength  overpowered;  his  foes, 
superior  in  prowess,  were  counUess  in  number;  and  he  liad  thrown 
down  the  tomahawk  in  despair.  It  was  then  tluit  Red  Jacket  stood 
forward  as  a  patriot,  defending  his  nation  with  fearless  elocpience, 
and  denouncing  its  enemies  in  strains  of  fierce  invective,  or  bitter 
sarcasm.  He  became  their  counsellor,  their  negotiator,  and  their 
orator.  Whatever  may  have  been  his  conduct  in  the  field,  he  now 
evinced  a  moral  courage,  as  cool  and  sagacious  as  it  was  undaunted, 
and  which  showed  a  mind  of  too  high  an  order  to  be  inHucnced  hy 
the  ba.se  sentiment  of  fear.  The  relations  of  the  Scnecas  with 
the  American  people,  introduced  questions  of  a  new  and  higbly 
interesting  character,  having  reference  to  the  purchase  of  their 
lands,  and  the  introduction  of  Clu-istianity  and  the  arts.  The  In- 
dians were  asked  not  only  to  sell  their  coiuitry,  but  to  embrace  a 
new  religion,  to  change  their  occupations  and  domestic  habits,  and 
to  adop'.,  a  novel  system  of  thought  and  action.  Strange  as  these 
propositions  must  have  seemed  in  themselves,  they  were  rendered 
the  more  unpalatable  when  dictated  by  the  stronger  party,  and  ac- 
companied by  occasional  acts  of  oppres.sion. 

It  was  at  this  crisis  that  Red  Jacket  stood  forward,  the  intrepid 
defender  of  his  country,  its  customs,  and  its  religion,  and  the  un- 
wavering opponent  of  all  innovation.  lie  yielded  nothing  to  per- 
suasion, to  bribery,  or  to  menace,  and  never,  to  his  last  hour,  remit- 
ted his  exertions  in  what  he  considered  the  noblest  purpose  of  his 
life. 

An  intelligent  gentleman,  who  knew  this  chief  intimately,  in 
peace  and  war,  for  more  than  thirty  years,  speaks  of  him  in  the  fol- 
lowing terms:  "Red  Jacket  was  a  pc7-fect  Indian  in  every  respect 
— in  costume,*  in  his  contempt  of  the  dress  of  the  white  men,  in 
his  hatred  and  opposition  to  the  missionaries,  and  in  his  attachment 

*  The  portrait  represents  him  in  a  bhie  coat.  He  wore  this  mat  when  lie  sat  to 
King,  of  WasliinjTtnn.  He  rarely  dressed  hinisrlf  otherwise  tlian  in  tiie  costume  of 
his  tribp      He  made  an  exception  on  tliis  occasion. 


RED  JACKET. 


17 


to,  and  •"eneration  for,  the  ancient  customs  and  traditions  of  his 
tribe.  He  had  a  contempt  for  the  EngUsh  language,  and  disdamed 
to  use  any  other  than  his  own.  He  was  the  finest  specimen.of  the 
Indian  character  I  ever  knew,  and  sustained  it  with  more  dignity 
than  any  other  chief  He  was  the  second  in  authority  in  his  tribe. 
As  an  orator  he  was  unequalled  by  any  Indian  I  eviT  saw.  His 
language  was  beautiful  and  figurative,  as  the  Indian  language 
always  is,  and  delivered  with  the  greatest  ease  and  fluency.  His 
gesticulation  was  easy,  graceful,  and  natural.  His  voice  was  dis- 
tinct and  clear,  and  he  always  spoke  with  great  animation.  His 
memory  was  very  strong.  I  have  acted  as  interpreter  to  most  of 
his  speeches,  to  which  no  translation  could  do  adequate  justice." 

Another  gentleman,  who  had  much  official  and  personal  inter- 
cour.se  with  the  Seneca  orator,  writes  thus :  "  You  have  no  doubt 
been  well  informed  as  to  the  strenuous  opposition  of  Red  Jacket,  to 
all  improvement  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  and  more  especially  to 
all  innovations  upon  the  religion  of  tlie  Indians — or,  as  they  gene- 
rally term  it,  the  religion  of  their  fathers.  His  speeches  upon  this 
and  other  points,  which  have  been  published,  were  obtained  through 
the  medium  of  ilUterate  interpreters,  and  present  us  with  nothing 
more  than  ragged  and  disjointed  sketches  of  the  originals.  In  a 
private  conversation  between  lied  Jacket,  Colonel  Chapin,  and 
myself,  in  1824,  I  asked  him  why  he  was  so  much  opposed  to  the 
establishment  of  missionaries  amon^  his  people.  The  question 
seemed  to  awaken  in  the  sage  old  chief  feelings  of  surprise,  and 
after  a  moment's  reflection  ho  replied,  with  a  sarcastic  smile,  and 
ail  emphasis  peculiar  to  himself,  'Because  they  do  us  no  good.  If 
they  are  not  useful  to  the  white  pcoi)le,  \vhy  do  they  send  them 
among  the  Indians;  if  they  are  useful  to  the  white  people,  and  do 
them  good,  why  do  they  not  keep  them  at  home?  They  are  surely 
bad  enough  to  need  the  labor  of  every  one  who  ran  make  them 
l)etter.  These  men  know  ^^•e  do  not  understand  their  religion.  W^e 
cannot  read  their  book;  they  tell  us  different  stories  about  what  it 


18 


BIOGRAPHY 


contains,  and  we  believe  they  make  the  book  talk  to  suit  themselves. 
If  we  had  no  money,  no  land,  and  no  country,  to  be  cheated  out  of, 
these  black  coats  would  not  trouble  themselves  about  our  good  here- 
after. The  Great  Spirit  will  not  punish  for  what  we  do  not  know. 
He  will  do  justice  to  his  red  children.  These  black  coats  talk  to 
the  Great  Spirit,  and  ask  for  light,  that  we  may  see  as  they  do, 
when  they  are  l)lind  themselves,  and  quarrel  about  the  light  which 
g)iidcs  tiiem.  These  things  we  do  not  understand,  and  the  light 
they  give  us  makes  the  straigTit  and  plain  path  trod  by  our  fathers 
dark  and  dreary.  The  black  coats  tell  us  to  work  and  raise  corn : 
they  do  nothing  themselves,  and  would  starve  to  death  if  somebody 
did  not  feed  them.  All  they  do  is  to  pray  to  the  Great  Spirit;  but 
that  will  not  make  corn  or  potatoes  grow ;  if  it  will,  why  do  they 
beg  from  us,  and  from  the  white  people?  The  red  men  knew 
nothintr  of  trouble  until  it  came  from  the  white  man;  as  soon  as 
they  crossed  the  great  waters,  they  wanted  our  country,  and  in 
retiirn  have  always  been  ready  to  learn  us  how  to  quarrel  about 
their  rcliixion.  Red  Jacket  can  never  be  the  friend  of  such  men. 
The  Indians  can  never  be  civilized ;  they  are  not  like  white  men. 
If  they  were  raised  among  the  white  people,  and  learned  to  work, 
and  to  read,  as  they  do,  it  would  only  make  their  situation  worse. 
They  would  be  treated  no  better  than  negroes.  We  are  few  and 
weak,  but  may  for  a  long  time  be  happy,  if  we  hold  fast  to  our 
country  and  the  religion  of  our  fathers.'  " 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  a  more  detailed  account  of  this 
great  man  cannot  be  given.  The  nature  of  his  life  and  attach- 
ments, threw  his  history  out  of  the  view,  and  beyond  the  reach  of 
white  men.  It  was  part  of  his  national  policy  to  have  as  little  inter- 
course as  possible  with  civilized  persons,  and  he  met  our  country- 
men only  amid  the  intrigues  and  excitement  of  treaties,  or  in  the 
degradation  of  that  vice  of  civilized  society,  which  makes  white 
men  savages,  and  savages  brutes.  Enough,  however,  has  been  pre- 
served to  show  that  he  was  an  extraordinary  man. 


RED  JACKET. 


19 


Perhaps  the  most  remarkable  attribiitc  of  his  character  was  com- 
manding eloquence.  A  notable  illustration  of  the  power  of  his 
eloquence  was  given  at  a  council,  held  at  Buffalo  Creek,  in  New 
York.  Corn  Plant,  who  was  at  that  period  chief  of  the  Seneca?, 
was  mainly  instrumental  in  making  the  treaty  of  Fort  Stanwix,  in 
1784.  His  agency  in  this  affair  operated  unfavorably  upon  his 
character,  and  weakened  his  influence  with  his  tribe.  Perceiving 
that  Red  Jacket  was  availing  himself  of  his  loss  of  popularity,  he 
resolved  on  counteracting  him.  To  do  this  effectually,  he  ordained 
one  of  his  brothers  a  prophet,  and  set  him  to  work  to  pow-fvori) 
against  his  rival,  and  his  followers.  The  plan  consummated,  Red 
Jacket  was  assailed  in  the  midst  of  the  tribe,  by  all  those  arts  that 
are  known  to  be  so  powerful  over  the  superstition  of  the  Indian. 
The  council  was  full — and  was,  no  doubt,  convened  mainly  for  this 
object.  Of  this  occurrence  De  Witt  Clinton  says — "  At  this  crisis. 
Red  Jacket  well  knew  that  the  future  color  of  his  life  depended 
upon  the  powers  of  his  mind.  He  spoke  in  his  defence  for  near 
three  hours — the  iron  brow  of  superstition  relented  under  the  magic 
of  his  eloquence.  He  declared  the  Prophet  an  impostor,  and  a 
cheat — he  prevailed — the  Indians  divided,  and  a  small  majority 
appeared  in  his  favor.  Perhaps  the  annals  of  history  cannot  fur- 
nish a  more  conspicuous  instance  of  the  power  and  triumph  of 
oratory  in  a  barbarous  nation,  devoted  to  superstition,  and  looking 
up  to  the  accuser  as  a  delegated  minister  of  the  Almighty."  Of 
the  power  which  he  exerted  over  the  minds  of  those  who  heard  him, 
it  has  been  justly  remarked,  that  no  one  ignorant  of  the  dialect  in 
which  he  spoke  can  adequately  judge.  He  wisely,  as  well  as 
proudly,  chose  to  speak  through  an  interpreter,  who  was  often  an 
illiterate  person,  or  sometimes  an  Indian,  who  could  hardly  be 
expected  to  do  that  justice  to  the  orator  of  the  forest,  which  the 
learned  are  scarcely  able  to  render  to  each  other.  Especially, 
would  such  reporters  fail  to  catch  even  the  spirit  of  an  animated 
harangue,  as  it  fell  rich  and  fervid  from  the  lips  of  an  injured 


80 


BIOGRAPHY. 


patriot,  standing  amid  tlie  ruins  of  his  little  state,  rcilxiking  on  the  oim 
hand  his  degenerate  tribe,  and  on  the  oilier  repelling  the  cncroacli- 
mcnts  of  an  absorbing  power.  The  speeches  which  have  been 
re[)nrted  as  his,  arc,  for  the  most  part,  miserable  failures,  either  made 
up  for  tiie  occasion  in  the  prosecution  of  some  mercenary,  or  sinister 
purpose,  or  unfaithfully  rendered  into  puerile  periods  bv  an  igno- 
rant native. 

There  are  several  interesting  anecdotes  of  lied  Jacket,  which 
should  be  preserved  as  illustrations  of  the  peculiar  jioints  of  his 
character  and  opinions,  as  well  as  of  liis  ready  elofpicnce.  We  shall 
relate  a  few  which  arc  vmdoubtcdly  authentic. 

In  a  council  which  was  held  Avith  the  Senecas  by  Governor  Tomp- 
kins of  New  York,  a  contest  arose  between  that  gentleman  and 
Red  Jacket,  as  to  a  fact,  connected  with  a  treaty  of  mary  years' 
standing.  The  American  agent  stated  one  thing,  the  Indian  chief 
corrected  him,  and  insisted  that  the  reverse  of  his  assertion  A\as 
true.  But,  it  was  rejoined,  "you  h;ivc  forgotten — we  have  it  writ- 
ten down  on  paper."  "The  paper  then  tells  alio,"  was  tlie  confi- 
dent answer;  "I  have  it  written  here,"  continued  the  chief,  placing 
ids  hand  with  great  dignity  upon  his  brow.  "You  Yankees  are 
born  with  a  feather  between  your  fingers;  but  your  pa[)er  does  not 
speak  the  truth.  The  Indiiui  keeps  his  knowledge  here — tins  is 
the  book  the  Great  Spirit  gave  u.s — it  does  not  lie !"  A  reference 
was  immediately  made  to  the  treaty  in  question,  when,  to  the  aston- 
ishment of  all  present,  and  to  the  triumph  of  the  tawny  statesman, 
the  document  confirmed  every  word  he  had  uttered. 

About  the  year  1S20.  Count  D.,  a  yomig  French  nobleman,  who 
was  making  a  tour  in  America,  visited  the  town  of  Buffalo.  Hear- 
ing of  the  fame  of  Red  Jacket,  and  learning  that  his  residence  wjus 
but  seven  miles  distant,  he  sent  him  AA^ord  that  he  was  desirous  to 
sec  him,  and  that  he  hoped  the  chief  would  visit  him  at  Buffalo,  the 
next  day  Red  Jacket  received  the  message  with  much  contempt, 
and  replied,  "tell  the  young  man  that  if  he  wishes  to  see  the  old 


RED  JACKET. 


21 


diiif,  he  miiy  fiiul  liim  witli  liis  nation,  where  other  s1ranf,r(^rs  pay 
tlieir  respects  to  liiiu ;  and  Red  Jacket  will  be  glad  to  see  him." 
The  count  sent  Ijack  his  messeiiirer,  to  say  tliat  he  was  i'atiyued  by 
his  journey,  and  could  not  go  to  the  Seneca  village ;  tluit  he  had 
come  all  the  way  from  France  to  see  lied  Jacket,  and  after  havin"- 
put  himself  to  so  much  trouble  to  see  so  great  a  man,  the  latter  could 
not  refuse  to  meet  him  at  BuH'alo.  "Tell  him,"  said  the  sarcastic 
chief,  "that  it  is  very  strange  he  should  conic  so  iiu-  to  see  me,  and 
then  stop  short  within  seven  nules  of  my  residence."  Tlie  retort 
was  richly  merited.  The  count  visited  him  at  his  wigwam,  and 
then  Red  Jacket  accepted  an  invitation  to  dine  with  the  foreign 
traveller  at  his  lodgings  in  Bufl'alo.  The  young  nobleman  declared 
that  he  considered  Red  Jacket  a  greater  wonder  than  the  Falls  of 
Niagara.  This  remark  was  the  more  striking,  as  it  was  made 
within  view  of  the  great  cataract.  But  it  was  ju.st.  He  who  made 
the  world,  and  fdled  it  with  wonders,  has  declared  man  to  be  the 
crowning  work  of  the  whole  creation. 

It  happened,  during  the  revolutionary  war,  that  a  treaty  was  held 
with  the  Indians,  at  which  Lafayette  was  present.  The  object  was 
to  unite  the  various  tribes  in  amity  with  America.  The  majority 
of  the  chiefs  were  friendly,  but  there  Avas  much  opposition  made  to 
it,  more  especially  by  a  young  warrior,  who  declared  that  -when  an 
alliance  was  entered  into  \\\\\\  America,  he  should  consider  the  sun 
of  his  country  luid  set  for  ever.  In  his  travels  through  the  Indian 
country,  when  last  in  America,  it  happened  at  a  large  assemblage 
of  chiefs,  tiiat  Lafayette  referred  to  the  treaty  in  question,  and  turn- 
ing to  Red  Jacket,  said,  "  pray  tell  me,  if  you  can,  what  has  become 
of  that  daring  youth  who  so  decidedly  opposed  all  our  propositions 
for  peace  and  amity?  Does  he  still  live?  and  what  is  his  condi- 
tion?" "I,  myself,  am  the  man,"  replied  Red  Jacket;  "  the  decided 
enemy  of  the  Americans,  so  long  as  the  hope  of  opposing  them 
successfully  remauied,  but  now  their  true  and  faithful  ally  until 
death." 


90 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Durinir  llic  war  bctwrcii  Great  IJrilain  and  tlic  United  StatoH, 
which  conimcncod  in  1812,  Red  Jacket  was  disposed  to  remain 
neutral,  but  was  overruled  by  his  trilie,  and  at  last  enyaged  heartily 
on  our  side,  in  cousci[ucncc  of  an  arifunient  which  occurred  to  his 
own  mind.  The  lands  of  his  trilie  border  upon  the  frontier  between 
tlic  United  States  and  Canada.  "  If  the  British  succeed,"  he  said, 
•'  they  will  take  our  country  from  us  ;  if  the  Americans  drive  them 
back,  thcij  will  claim  our  land  by  right  of  conquest."  He  fought 
through  the  whole  war,  displayed  the  most  undaunted  i);trcpidity, 
and  completely  redeemed  his  character  from  the  suspicion  of  that 
unmanly  \\'eaknpss  with  which  ho  luul  been  charged  in  early  life; 
while  in  uo  instance  did  he  e.vhibit  the  ferocity  of  the  savage,  or 
disgrace  himself  by  any  act  of  outrage  towards  a  prisoner  or  a  fallen 
enemy.  His,  therefore,  wa.s  that  true  moral  courage,  which  results 
from  self-respect  and  the  sense  of  duty,  and  which  is  a  more  noblo 
and  more  active  principle  than  that  mere  animal  instinct  which 
renders  many  men  inscnsiljle  to  danger.  Opposed  to  war,  not 
ambitious  of  martial  fame,  and  unskilled  in  military  aflairs,  he  went 
to  battle  from  principle,  and  met  its  perils  with  the  spirit  of  a 
veteran  warrior,  while  he  shrunk  from  its  cruelties  with  the  sen- 
sibility of  a  man,  and  a  philosopher. 

Red  Jacket  was  the  foe  of  the  white  man.  His  nation  was  his 
God ;  her  honor,  preservation,  and  liberty,  his  religion.  He  hated 
the  missionary  of  the  cross,  because  he  feared  some  secret  design 
upon  the  lands,  the  peace,  or  the  independence  of  the  Senecas.  He 
never  understood  Christianity.  Its  sublime  d'sinterestedncss  ex- 
ceeded his  conceptions.  He  was  a  keen  observer  of  human  nature ; 
and  saw  that  among  white  and  red  men,  sordid  interest  was  e([ually 
the  spring  of  action.  He,  therefore,  naturally  enough  suspected 
every  stranger  who  came  to  his  tribe  of  some  design  on  their  .ittle 
and  dearly  jirized  domains ;  and  felt  towards  the  Christian  mission- 
ary as  the  Trojan  priestess  did  towards  the  wooden  horse  ot'  the 
Greeks.     He  saw,  too,  that  the  same  influence  which  tended   to 


Rf:D  JACKET. 


98 


reduce  his  vviii)(h;riii<j  tribe  to  civilized  halnts,  must  necessarily 
diango  his  whole  system  of  policy.  He  wished  to  prciservo  tho 
iiitofrrity  of  his  trilje  by  keei)iii<r  the  Indians  and  white  men  apart, 
\v!iil(!  the  direct  tendency  of  the  missionary  system  was  to  blend 
them  in  one  f,ocioty,  and  to  Ijrinyf  them  under  a  common  religion 
and  ifovernmcnt.  Wliile  it  annihilated  paganism,  it  dissolved  the 
nationality  of  the  tribe.  In  the  wilderness,  far  from  white  men, 
tho  Indians  might  rove  in  pursuit  of  game,  and  remain  a  di.stinct 
people.  But  the  district  of  land  reserved  for  the  Senecas,  was  not 
as  large  as  the  smallest  county  in  New  York,  and  was  now  sur- 
rounded by  an  ever-grov\  ing  po|)rdation  impatient  to  possess  their 
lands,  and  restricting  their  hunting-grounds,  by  l)ringing  the  arts 
of  husbandry  up  to  the  line  of  demarkation.  The  deer,  the  buffalo, 
and  the  elk  were  gone.  On  lied  Jacket's  system,  his  people  should 
have  followed  them;  but  he  chose  to  remain,  and  yet  refused  to 
adopt  those  arts  and  institutions  which  alone  could  preserve  his 
tribe  from  an  early  and  ignominious  extinction. 

It  must  also  l)e  stated  in  fairness,  that  tlie  missionaries  are  not 
always  men  fitted  for  tlicir  work.  Many  of  them  have  been  desti- 
tute of  the  talents  and  information  requisite  in  so  arduous  an  enter- 
I)rise;  some  have  been  bigoted  and  over  zealous,  and  others  have 
wanted  temper  and  patience.  Ignorant  of  the  aboriginal  languages, 
and  obliged  to  rely  upon  interpreters  to  whom  religion  was  an 
occult  science,  they  doubtless  often  conveyed  very  different  im])res- 
sions  from  those  which  they  intended.  "  What  have  you  said  to 
them?"  inquired  a  missionary  once,  of  the  interpreter  who  had  been 
expounding  his  sermon.  "  I  told  them  you  have  a  message  to  them 
from  the  Great  Spirit,"  was  the  reply.  "I  said  no  such  thing," 
cried  the  missionary;  "tell  them  I  am  come  to  speak  of  God,  the 
only  living  and  True  God,  and  of  the  life  that  is  to  be  hereafter- 
well,  what  have  you  said?"  "That  you  will  tell  them  about  Mani- 
to  and  the  land  of  spirits."  "Worse  and  worse!"  exclaimed  the 
embarrassed  preacher ;  and  such  is  doubtless  the  history  of  many 

sermons  which  have  been  delivered  to  the  bewildered  heathen. 
4 


24 


BIOGRAPHY. 


There  is  another  cause  which  has  seldom  failed  to  operate  in 
opposition  to  any  fair  experiment  in  reference  to  the  civilization  of 
the  Indians.  The  frontiers  arc  always  infested  by  a  class  of  adven- 
turers, whose  plans  of  speculation  are  host  promoted  by  the  igno- 
rance of  the  Indian;  who,  therefore,  steadily  thwart  every  benevo- 
lent attempt  to  enlighten  the  savage ;  and  who  are  as  ingenious  as 
they  are  busy,  in  framing  insinuations  to  the  discredit  of  thoso 
engaged  in  benevolent  designs  towards  this  unhappy  race. 

Whatever  was  the  policy  of  Red  Jaclict,  or  the  reasons  on  which 
it  was  founded,  he  was  the  steady,  skilful,  and  potent  foe  of  mis- 
sions in  his  tribe,  which  became  divided  into  two  factions,  one  of 
which  was  called  the  Christian,  and  the  other  the  Pagan  parly. 
The  Christian  party  in  1827  outnumbered  the  Pagan — and  Red 
Jacket  was  formally,  and  by  a  vote  of  the  council,  displaced  from 
the  office  of  Chief  of  the  Senecas,  which  he  had  held  ever  since  his 
triiunph  over  Corn  Plant.  He  was  greatly  affected  by  this  decision, 
and  made  a  journey  to  Washington  to  lay  his  griefs  before  his  Great 
Father.  His  first  call,  on  arriving  at  W'ashington,  v.as  on  Colonel 
M'K<!nnoy,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  Bureau  of  Indian  Affairs. 
That  officer  was  well  informed,  through  his  agent,  of  all  that  had 
passed  among  the  Senecas,  and  of  the  decision  of  the  council,  and 
the  cause  of  its  displacing  Red  Jacket.  After  the  customary  shalving 
of  hands,  Red  Jacket  spoke,  saying,  "  I  have  a  talk  for  my  Father." 
"  Tell  him,"  answered  Colonel  jM'Kenney,  "  I  have  one  for  him.  I 
will  make  it,  and  will  then  listen  to  him."  Colonel  JM'Kenney 
narrated  all  that  had  passed  bet\\een  the  two  parties,  trdving  care 
not  to  omit  the  minute  incidents  that  had  com])incd  to  produce  the 
open  rupture  that  had  taken  place.  He  sought  to  convince  Retl 
Jacket  that  a  spirit  of  forbearance  on  his  part,  and  a  yielding  to  the 
Christian  party  the  right,  which  he  claimed  for  himself,  to  belie\e 
as  he  pleased  on  the  subject  of  religion,  would  have  prevented  the 
mortifynig  result  of  his  expulsion  from  office  and  power.  At  the 
ct  nclusion  of  this  talk,  during  which  Red  Jacket  never  took  hi? 
keen  and  searching  eye  o(f  the  speaker,  he  turned  to  the  interpreter, 


RED  JACKET. 


25 


saying,  with  Ids  finger  pointing  in  the  direction  of  his  people,  and 
of  his  home,  "  Our  Father  has  got  a  long  eye !"  He  then  proceeded 
to  vindicate  himself,  and  his  cause,  and  to  pour  out  upon  the  black 
coats  the  phials  of  his  vrath.  It  was  finally  arranged,  however, 
that  he  was  to  go  home,  and  there,  in  a  council  that  was  directed 
to  be  convened  for  the  purpose,  express  his  willingness  to  bury  the 
hatchet,  and  leave  it  to  those  who  might  choose  to  be  Christians,  to 
adopt  the  ceremonies  of  that  religion,  whilst  for  liimself,  and  those 
who  thought  like  him,  he  should  claim  the  privilege  to  follow  the 
faith  of  his  fatliers.  Whereupon,  and  as  had  been  promised  liim  at 
Washington,  the  council  unanimously  replaced  him  in  the  office  of 
chief,  which  he  held  till  his  death.  This  happened  soon  after.  It 
is  due  to  him  to  state,  that  a  cause,  which  has  retarded  the  progress 
of  Christianity  in  all  lands  lying  adjacent  to  Christian  nations, 
naturally  influenced  his  nr.ind.  He  saw  many  individuals  in  Chris' 
tendom  who  were  worse  than  Pagans.  He  did  not  know  that  few 
of  these  professed  to  bo  Christiaus,  and  that  a  still  smaller  number 
practised  the  precepts  of  our  religion;  but  judging  them  in  the 
mass,  he  saw  little  that  was  desirable  in  the  moral  character  of  the 
whites,  and  nothing  inviting  in  their  faith.  It  was  with  these 
.'lews,  tint  Red  Jacket,  in  council,  in  reply  to  the  proposal  to 
establish  a  missicm  among  his  people,  said,  with  inimitable  severity 
and  shreminess,  "  "t'our  talk  is  fair  and  good.  But  T  propose  this. 
Go,  try  your  hand  in  the  town  of  Bufl'alo,  for  on€  year.  They 
need  missionaries,  if  you  can  do  what  you  say.  If  in  that  time  you 
shall  have  done  them  any  good,  and  made  them  any  better,  then 
we  will  let  you  come  among  our  people." 

A  gentleman,  who  saw  Red  Jacket  in  1820,  describes  him  as 
being  then  apparently  sixty  years  old.  He  was  dressed  with  much 
taste,  in  the  Indian  costume  throughout,  but  had  not  a  savage  look. 
His  form  was  erect,  and  not  large;  and  his  face  noble.  He  wore  a 
blue  dress,  the  upper  garment  cut  after  the  fashion  of  a  nuntmg 
fihirt;  Avith  l)lue  leggins,  very  neat  rnoccasons,  a  red  jacket,  and  a 


26 


BIOGRAPHY. 


girdle  of  red  about  his  waist.  His  eye  was  fine,  his  forehead  lofty 
and  capacious,  and  his  bearing  calm  and  dignified.  Previous  to  en- 
tering into  any  conversation  with  our  inibrniant,  who  had  been 
introduced  to  him  under  the  most  favorable  auspicts,  lie  inquired, 
"  What  are  you,  a  gambler,  (meaning  a  land  speculator,)  a  sherilf, 
or  a  black  coat?"  Upon  ascertaining  that  the  interview  was  not 
sought  for  any  specific  ol)ject  other  than  that  of  seeing  and  con- 
versing with  himself,  he  became  easy  and  aflTable,  and  delivered  his 
sentiments  freely  on  the  subject  wliich  had  divided  his  tribe,  and 
disturbed  himself,  for  many  years.  lie  said  that  "  he  had  no  doubt 
that  Christianity  was  good  for  white  people,  but  that  the  red  men 
were  a  different  race,  and  required  a  different  religion.  He  believed 
that  Jesus  Christ  was  a  good  man,  and  that  the  whites  should  all 
be  sent  to  hell  for  kiUing  him ;  but  the  red  men  having  no  hand  in 
his  death,  were  clear  of  that  crime.  The  Saviour  was  not  sent  to 
them,  the  atonement  not  made  for  them,  iior  the  Bible  given  to 
thom,  and  therefore  the  Christian  religion  was  not  intended  for 
them.  If  the  Great  Spirit  had  intended  they  should  be  .hristians, 
he  would  have  made  his  revelation  to  them  as  well  as  to  the  whites ; 
and  not  having  made  it,  it  was  clearly  his  will  that  they  should 
continue  in  the  faith  of  their  fathers." 

The  whole  life  of  the  Seneca  chief  was  spent  in  vain  endeavors 
to  preserve  the  independence  of  his  tribe,  and  in  active  opposition 
as  well  to  the  plans  of  civilization  proposed  Ijy  the  benevolent,  as 
to  the  attempts  at  encroachment  on  the  part  of  the  mcrcennry. 
His  views  remained  unchanged  and  his  mental  powers  uninq)aired, 
to  the  last.  The  only  weakness,  incide?>t  to  the  dcgcnvn-ate  condi- 
tion of  his  tribe,  into  which  he  permitted  himsslf  to  fall,  was  that 
of  intoxication.  Like  all  Indians,  he  loved  ardent  spirits,  and 
although  his  ordinary  habits  were  u^mperate,  he  occasionally  gave 
himself  up  to  the  dreadful  tcmpta^^ion,  and  spent  several  days  in 
succession,  in  continual  drinking. 

The  circumstances  attending  his  decease  were  striking,  and  we 
shall  relate  them  in  the  language  of  one  who  witnessed  the  facts 


RED   JACKET. 


27 


which  he  states.  For  some  months  previous  to  his  death,  time  had 
made  such  ravages  on  his  constitution  as  to  rendeii  him  fully  sen- 
sihle  of  his  approaching  dissolution.  To  that  event  he  often  ad- 
verted, and  always  in  the  language  of  philoisophic  calmness.  lie 
visited  successively  all  his  most  intinuxte  friends  at  their  cabins, 
and  conversed  with  them  upon  the  condition  of  the  nation,  in  the 
most  impressive  and  affecting  manner.  lie  told  them  that  he  was 
passing  away,  and  his  comisels  would  soon  be  heard  no  more.  He 
ran  over  the  history  of  his  people  from  the  most  remote  period  to 
which  his  knowledge  extended,  and  pointed  out,  as  few  could,  the 
wrongs,  the  privations,  and  the  loss  of  character,  which  almost  of 
themselves  constituted  that  history.  "I  am  about  to  leave  you," 
said  he,  "  and  when  I  am  gone,  and  my  warnings  shall  be  no  longer 
heard,  or  regarded,  the  craft  and  avarice  of  the  white  man  will  pre- 
vail. Many  winters  have  I  breasted  the  storm,  but  I  am  an  aged 
tree,  and  can  stand  no  longer.  My  leaves  are  fallen,  my  branches 
are  withered,  and  I  am  shaken  by  every  breeze.  Soon  my  aged 
trunk  will  be  prostrate,  and  the  foot  of  the  exulting  foe  of  the  Indian 
may  be  placed  upon  it  in  safety ;  for  I  leave  none  who  Mill  be  able 
to  avenge  such  an  indignity.  Think  not  I  mourn  for  myself  I 
go  to  join  the  spirits  of  my  fathers,  where  age  cannot  come;  but  my 
heart  fails,  when  1  think  of  my  people,  who  are  soon  to  be  scattered 
and  forgotten."  These  several  interviews  were  all  concluded 
with  detailed  instructions  respecting  his  domestic  affairs  and  his 
funeral. 

There  had  long  been  a  missionary  among  the  Senecas,  who  was 
sustained  by  a  party  among  the  natives,  while  lied  Jacket  de- 
nounced "the  man  in  dark  dress,"  and  deprecated  the  feud  by 
which  his  nation  was  distracted.  In  his  dying  injunctions  to  those 
around  him,  he  repeated  his  wishes  respecting  his  interment. 
"Bury  me,"  said  he,  "by  the  side  of  my  former  wife;  and  let  my 
funeral  be  according  to  the  customs  of  our  nation.  I-et  me  be 
dressed  and  ef[uip[)ed  as  my  fathers  were,  that  their  spirits  may 
rejoice  in  my  coming.     Be  sure  that  my  grave  be  not  made  bv  a 


28 


BIOGRAPHY. 


white  man ;  let  them  not  pursue  me  there  !"  He  died  on  the  20th 
of  January,  1830,  at  his  residence  near  BufVulo.  With  him  fell  the 
spirit  of  his  people.  They  <rii7,ed  n})ou  his  fallen  form,  and  mused 
upon  his  prophetic  warnings,  until  their  hearts  grew  heavy  with 
grief.  The  neighboring  missionary,  with  a  disregard  for  the  feel- 
ings of  the  bereaved,  and  the  injunctions  of  the  dead,  for  which 
it  is  difficult  to  account,  assembled  his  party,  loolv  possession  of  the 
body,  and  conveyed  it  to  their  mectiiig-house.  The  immediate 
friends  of  lied  Jacket,  amazed  at  the  transaction,  abandoned  the 
preparations  they  were  making  for  tlie  funeral  rito.^,  and  followed 
the  body  in  silence  to  the  place  of  worship,  where  a  service  was 
performed,  which,  considering  the  opinions  of  the  deceased,  was  as 
idle  as  it  was  indecorous.  They  were  then  told,  from  the  sacred 
desk,  that,  if  they  had  any  thing  to  say,  tiicy  had  now  an  oppor- 
tunity. Incredulity  and  scorn  were  pictured  on  the  face  of  tlie 
Indians,  and  no  reph'  was  made  except  by  a  chief  called  Green 
Blanket,  who  briefly  remarked,  "this  liouse  was  built  for  the  white 
man;  the  friends  of  Red  Jacket  cannot  be  heard  in  it."  Notwith- 
standing this  touching  appeal,  and  the  dying  injunctions  of  the 
Seneca  chief,  his  remains  were  taken  to  the  grave  ])rei)ared  by  the 
whites,  and  interred.  Some  of  the  Indians  followed  the  corpse,  but 
the  more  immediate  friends  of  Ked  Jacket  took  a  last  view  of  their 
lifeless  chief,  in  the  sanctuary  of  that  religion  which  he  had  always 
opposed,  and  hastened  from  a  scene  which  overwhelmed  them  with 
humiliation  and  sorrow.  Thus  early  did  the  foot  of  the  white  man 
trample  on  the  dust  of  the  great  chief,  in  accordance  with  his  own 
]ini[.lielic  declaration. 

The  medal  which  Red  Jacket  wore,  and  which  is  faithfully 
copied  ill  the  portrait  befijro  tlie  reader,  he  prized  above  all  price.  It 
was  a  personal  present,  made  in  1792,  from  General  Washington. 
He  was  never  known  to  be  without  it.  He  had  studied  and  com- 
prehended the  character  of  Washington,  and  ])laced  upon  this  gift 
a  value  corresponding  willi  his  exalted  opinion  of  the  donor. 


MOHONGO. 


Of  the  early  life  of  this  female  we  know  nothing;  and,  perhaps, 
little  could  be  gathered  that  would  be  worthy  of  record.  She  is 
interesting  on  account  of  the  dignity  and  beauty  of  her  counte- 
nance, and  the  singular  nature  of  her  adventures  since  her  marriage. 
She  was  one  of  a  party  of  seven  of  her  tribe,  who  were  decoyed 
from  llie  borders  of  Missouri,  by  an  adventurer,  whose  intention 
was  to  exhibit  tlicra  in  Europe,  for  the  purpose  of  gain.  lie  was  a 
Frenchman,  and  was  assisted  in  his  design  by  a  half-breed  Indian, 
who  acted  as  interpreter  between  him  and  the  deluded  victims  of 
his  mercenary  deception.  The  Indians  were  alluiod  from  home 
by  the  assurance  that  curiosity  and  respect  for  the  Indian  character, 
would  make  thom  so  welcome  in  Europe,  that  they  woidd  be 
received  with  distinguished  marks  of  respect,  and  loaded  with 
valuable  presents.  It  is  not  probable  that  they  understood  that 
they  were  to  be  shown  for  money,  or  that  they  had  any  knowledge 
of  the  nature  of  such  exhibitions;  but  it  is  obvious  that  their  own 
views  were  mercenary,  and  that  they  were  incited  to  travel  by  the 
alleged  value  of  the  presents  which  would  probably  be  made  them. 

Whether  any  other  arguments  were  used  to  induce  these  untutored 
savages  to  emliark  in  an  enterprise  so  foreign  from  their  timid  and 
reserved  habits,  we  have  been  unable  to  discover.  It  is  only  known 
that  the  individual  who  seduced  them  from  their  native  plains, 
assumed  the  character  and  dress  of  an  American  officer,  and  by 
this  deception  gained  tlunr  confidence;  and  it  is  more  than  proba- 
ble, that  as  they  only  knew  him  imder  this  disguise,  they  were 

(29) 


30 


BIOGRAPHY. 


deceived  into  the  belief  that  he  was  acting  tinder  tlie  sanction  of 
the  government.  AVhatever  may  have  been  the  pretence,  it  was 
a  cniel  deception  ;  and  it  would  be  curious  to  know  what  were  the 
feelings  and  the  reflections  of  those  wild  savages,  accustomed  to 
roam  uncontrolled  through  the  deep  forests,  and  over  the  boundless 
plains,  when  they  found  themselves  among  the  habitations  of  an 
enlightened  people,  the  objects  of  intense  curiosity,  and  the  prison- 
ers of  a  mercenary  keeper.  The  delusion  under  which  they  com- 
menced their  journey  was  probably  not  dispelled  previous  to  tlicir 
arrival  at  New  York;  those  witli  whom  they  met  on  the  way, 
supposed  them  to  be  proceeding  to  Washington,  on  a  visit  to  the 
President;  and  as  the  Indians  were  ignorant  of  our  language,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  this  singular  device  escaped  detection. 

At  New  York  the  party  embarked  for  Europe.  They  visited 
Holland,  Germany,  and  some  other  parts  of  the  continent,  and  at 
last  came  to  the  French  metropolis  Here  the  imposture  was 
detected.  The  pretended  American  officer  had  been  at  Paris 
before;  he  was  recognized  by  his  creditors,  stripped  of  his  borrowed 
character,  and  thrown  into  prison;  while  the  wandering  savages 
were  so  fortunate  as  to  find  a  protector  in  Lafayette,  whose  allec- 
tion  for  America  was  so  great,  that  the  native  of  our  land,  even 
though  an  illiterate  Indian,  was  ever  sure  of  a  welcome  under  his 
hospit;ible  roof  He  supplied  them  with  money,  and  caused 
arrangements  to  l3e  made  for  their  passage  to  the  United  States. 
During  the  voyage  they  were  attacked  by  the  small-pox,  and  three 
of  them  died.  Among  the  victims  was  the  hixsbaud  of  Mohonw) 
who  was  now  left  to  Carry  back  to  her  people,  with  the  varied  tale 
of  her  adventures,  the  bitter  story  of  her  bereavement. 

The  party  landed  at  Norfolk,  in  Virginia,  whence  they  were 
sent  to  Washington  city.  They  were  kindly  received  at  the  seat 
of  government,  where  directions  were  given  for  their  hospitable 
entertainment  during  their  stay,  and  for  their  safe  conveyance  to 
the  Osage  villages.     They  reached  their  forest  home  in  safety,  and 


MOHONGO. 


Si 


have  clone  us  the  justice  to  acknowledge  tliat,  although  they 
suffered  much  from  the  treachery  of  one  of  our  race,  -who  allured 
them  from  the  wigwams  of  their  tribe,  they  were  indebted  to  the 
white  man  for  many  acts  of  kindness  and  sympathy  during  their 
novel  and  ".dvcnturous  journey.  They  profess  to  have  been  on  the 
whole  gratified  with  the  expedition. 

The  ikeness  which  we  have  copied,  was  taken  at  Washington, 
by  order  of  the  War  Department,  while  Mohongo  remained  in  that 
city.  It  is  a  faithful  and  striking  rejiresentation  of  the  original; 
and  tlie  contemplation  of  it,  to  one  accpiainted  with  the  Indian 
character,  gives  rise  to  a  train  of  thought  which  it  may  be  well  to 
notice,  'i'he  ordinary  expression  of  the  countenance  of  the  Indian 
woman,  is  subdued  and  unmeaning;  that  of  INIohongo  is  lighted  uj) 
with  intelligence.  It  is  joyous  as  well  as  reiiective.  It  is  possible 
that  this  dilference  maybe  accidental;  and  that  Mohongo  adven- 
tured upon  her  perilous  journey,  in  consequence  of  possessing  a 
mind  of  more  than  connnon  vigor,  or  a  buoyancy  of  spirit,  not 
usual  among  her  tribe.  But  we  incline  to  a  diflerent  theory.  The 
Indian  woman  is  rather  the  servant  than  the  companion  of  man. 
She  is  a  favorite  and  confidential  servant,  who  is  treated  \\\{\\  kind- 
ness, but  who  is  still  an  inferior.  The  life  of  the  untamed  savatre 
affords  little  range  for  the  powers  of  reflection;  his  train  of  thought 
is  neitlier  varied  nor  extensive;  and  as  the  females  are  confined  to 
domestic  duties,  neither  meddling  in  public  afTairs,  nor  mingling  iu 
that  which  we  should  call  society,  the  exercise  of  their  mental 
powers  must  be  extremely  limited.  The  Indian  vi.lage  affords 
but  few  diversions,  and  still  fewer  of  the  operations  of  industry,  of 
business,  or  of  ingenuity.  The  mind  of  the  warrior  is  bent  on  war, 
or  on  the  chase,  while  the  almost  undivided  attention  of  the  female  is 
devoted  to  the  procuring  and  preparation  of  food.  In  the  moments 
of  leisure,  when  the  eye  would  roam  abroad,  and  the  mind  unbend 
itself  in  the  play  of  its  powers  of  observation,  a  monotonous  scenery 
IS  ever  present.     Tliey  have  their  mountains  and  plains,  their  woods 


32 


BIOGRAPHY. 


and  rivers,  imchanged  from  year  to  year;  and  the  blue  sky  above 
tlicm,  subjected  only  to  the  varieties  of  storm  and  sunshine.  Is  it 
strange  that  the  countenance  of  the  Indian  woman  should  be  vacant, 
and  lier  demeanor  subdued? 

JNIohongo  travelled  in  company  with  her  husband.  Constantly  in 
his  society,  sharing  with  him  the  perils,  the  vicissitudes,  and  the 
emotions,  incident  to  the  novel  scenes  into  which  they  were  thrown, 
and  released  from  tlie  drudgery  of  menial  occupation,  she  must 
have  risen  to  something  like  the  station  of  an  equal.  Perhaps  when 
circumstances  of  embarrassment,  or  perplexing  objects  of  curiosity, 
were  presented,  the  superior  tact  and  flexibility  of  the  female  mind 
became  apparent,  and  her  companions  learned  to  place  a  higher 
estimation  upon  her  character,  than  is  usually  awarded  by  the 
Indian  to  the  weaker  sex.  Escaped  from  servile  labor,  she  had 
leisure  to  think.  New  ol)jects  were  continually  placed  before  her 
eye;  admiration  and  curiosity  were  often  awakened  in  her  mind; 
its  latent  faculties  were  excited,  and  that  beautiful  system  of  asso- 
ciation which  forms  the  train  of  rational  thought,  became  connected 
and  developed.  Mohongo  was  no  longer  the  drudge  of  a  savage 
hunter,  but  his  friend.  Such  are  the  inferences  which  seem  to  be 
fairly  deducible,  when  contrasting  the  agreeable  expression  of  this 
countenance  with  the  stolid  lineaments  of  other  females  of  the 
same  race.  If  our  theory  be  correct,  the  example  before  us  aiTords 
a  sitniificant  and  beautiful  illustration  of  the  beneficent  effects  of 
civilization  upon  the  human  mind. 


SlIAlUTAllISH. 


The  Pawnee  nation  is  divided  into  several  parts,  the  original  or 
main  body  of  which  are  called  Grand  Pawnees,  while  the  bands 
which  have  sc^jarated  from  tlicm,  and  form  independent,  thotigh 
somewliat  subordinate  communities,  are  designated  as  Pa^\■nee 
Loups,  Republican  Pawnees,  Pawnee  Mahas,  &c.  These  ..divi- 
sions of  larger  into  smaller  communities,  which  are  contiimally 
taking  place,  present  a  curious  subject  in  the  study  of  Indian 
history,  which  we  propose  to  treat  more  at  large  in  another  place. 

Sharitarish  was  principal  chief,  or  head  man  of  the  Grand 
Pawnees.  He  was  descended  from  a  line  of  chiefs,  and,  accordinir 
to  the  law  of  descents,  which  selects  the  next  of  kin,  if  worthy, 
succeeded  his  elder  brother,  Tarecawawaho.  They  were  sons  of 
Sharitarish,  a  chief,  who  is  mentioned  in  Pike's  Expedition  under 
the  name  of  Characterish. 

Tarecawawaho  was  a  brave  and  enterprising  leader,  as  indeed 
those  usually  are  who  obtain  power  in  these  warlike  tribes;  for 
the  ofhce  of  chief  is  no  sinecure  among  a  people  so  continually 
exposed  to  various  dangers.  He  had  also  a  large  sliare  of  that 
pride,  the  olfspring  of  ignorance,  which  is  often  the  principal 
ingredient  in  the  magnificence  of  sovereignty,  and  especially  in 
the  savage  state.  When  invited  to  visit  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  he  refused  to  do  so,  upon  the  ground  that  it  would 
be  too  great  a  condescension.  The  Pawnees,  he  asserted,  were  the 
greatest  people  in  the  world,  and  himself  the  most  important  chief 
He  was  willing  to  live  at  peace  with  the  American  people,  and  to 

(33) 


31 


BIOGRAPHY. 


conciliate  the  government  by  reciprocating  their  acts  of  courtesy. 
JJut  he  argued  that  the  President  could  not  bring  as  many  young 
nu'u  into  the  field  as  himself;  tliat  ho  ditl  not  own  as  many  horses, 
nor  maintiiin  as  many  wives;  that  he  was  not  so  distinguished  a 
brave,  and  coidd  not  exhibit  as  many  scalps  taken  in  battle;  and 
tiial  therefore  he  would  not  consent  to  call  him  his  great  Father. 
He  did  not  object,  however,  to  return  the  civilities  of  the  Presi- 
dent, l)y  sending  a' delegation  composed  of  some  of  his  principal 
men;  and  among  those  selected  to  accompany  Major  C'Fallou  to 
A\  ashington  on  this  occasion,  was  the  snl)ject  of  this  sketch.  Shari- 
tiirish  returned  with  enlarged  views  of  tlie  numbers  and  power  of 
the  white  men,  and  no  douljt  with  more  correct  opinions  than  he 
liad  lu'fore  entertained,  of  the  relative  importance  of  his  own  nation. 
As  he  travelled  league  after  league  over  the  broad  expanse  of  the 
American  territory,  he  became  convinced  of  the  vast  disparity 
between  a  horde  of  wandering  savages  and  a  nation  of  civilized 
men,  and  was  satisfied  tliat  his  people  could  gain  nothing  by  a  state 
of  warfare  with  a  power  so  superior. 

Sharitarish  was  a  chief  of  noble  form  and  fine  bearing ;  lie  was 
six  feet  tall,  and  well  proportioned;  and  when  mounted  on  the 
fi(>ry  steed  of  the  prairie,  was  a  graceful  and  very  imposi.ig  person- 
age. His  people  looked  upon  him  as  a  great  brave,  and  the  young 
men  especially  regarded  him  as  a  person  who  was  designed  to  great 
distinction.  After  his  return  from  Washington  his  popularity 
increased  .so  greatly  as  to  excite  the  jealousy  of  his  elder  brother, 
tlic  head  chief,  who,  lio\\  ever,  did  not  long  survive  that  event.  He 
died  a  few  weeks  after  the  return  of  Sharitarish,  who  succeeded 
hiai,  but  who  also  died  during  the  succeeding  autumn,  at  the  age 
of  little  more  tlian  thirty  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  .lis  brother 
Ishcatape,  the  wicked  chief,  a  name  given  him  by  the  Omahas,  or 
Pawnee  ]\Ialias,  and  which  also  has  been  applied  by  some  to  the 
subject  of  this  notice. 


SEQUOYAH, 


THE   INVENTOR   OF  THE    CHEROKEE  ALPHABET. 


TuK  portrait  of  this  remarkable  individual  is  one  of  great  interest. 
It  presents  a  mild,  engaging  countcnanee,  entirely  destitute  of  that 
wild  and  fierce  expression  which  almost  invariably  marks  the 
features,  or  characterizes  the  expression  of  the  American  Indians 
and  their  descendants.  It  exhibits  no  trace  of  the  ferocity  of  the 
savage ;  it  wants  alike  the  vigilant  eye  of  the  warrior  and  the  stupid 
apathy  of  tlie  less  intellectual  of  that  race.  The  contour  of  the  face, 
and  the  wliole  style  of  the  expression,  as  well  as  the  dress,  are 
decidedly  Asiatic,  and  might  be  triumphantly  cited  in  evidence  of 
the  oriental  origin  of  our  tribes,  by  those  who  maintain  that  plausi- 
ble theory.  It  is  not  merely  intelligent  and  thoughtful,  but  there 
are  almost  a  feminine  refinement  and  a  luxurious  softness  about  it, 
which  might  characterize  the  features  of  an  eastern  sage,  accustomed 
to  ease  and  indolence,  but  are  little  indicative  of  an  American  origin^ 
or  of  a  mind  formed  among  the  wilds  of  our  western  frontier. 

At  an  early  period  in  the  settlement  of  our  colonies,  the  Chero- 
kees  received  with  hospitality  the  Mhite  men  who  Avcnt  among 
them  as  traders ;  and  having  learned  the  value  of  articles  of  Euro- 
pean fabric,  became,  in  some  mea.sure,  dependent  upon  this  traflic. 
Like  other  Indians  they  engaged  in  hostilities  against  us,  when  it 
suited  their  convenience,  or  when  stimulated  by  caprice  or  the  love 
of  plunder.  But  as  our  settlements  approached,  and  finally  sur 
rounded  them,  they  were  alike  induced  by  policy,  and  compelled 

(35) 


36 


niOGKAPIIY. 


by  Ihuir  situul ion,  to  desist  from  llicir  predalory  iiiodo  of  life,  jiiid 
becaiiic,  compiiralivi'Iy,  iiioll'cMisivc  neighbors  to  llu;  wliilcs.  The 
liirircr  nuinl)or  roiitinucd  to  snlisist  by  huiitinjf,  wliili;  n  few  entragcd 
in  ayrii'ultnre.  luliiibitiiiy  a  fertile  couiilry,  in  a  houtherii  rliniate, 
within  tlie  limits  of  Cleorgia,  their  locid  jiosition  held  out  strong 
temptations  to  white  men  to  settle  among  them  as  traders,  jnid  many 
availed  themselves  of  these  advantages.  \\  itii  tlu;  present  objeet 
of  carrying  on  a  prolltable  traHie,  and  the  ulterior  view  of  actjuiring 
titles  to  liu'ge  l)odies  of  land,  tlu^y  took  up  their  residence  iiinong 
the  Indians,  and  intermarried  Avith  tlie  females  of  that  race.  !Somo 
of  these  were  prudent,  energetic,  men,  who  made  themselves  re- 
spected, and  ac(|uired  influence,  which  enabled  them  to  r;ink  as 
head  men,  and  to  triuismit  the  authority  of  chiefs  to  their  descend- 
ants. Many  of  them  became  planters,  and  grew  wealthy  in  horses 
and  cattle,  and  in  negro  shives,  which  they  purchased  in  the 
southern  states.  The  only  art,  however,  which  tliey  inlroduced, 
was  that  of  agriculture;  and  this  but  few  of  the  Indians  had  the 
industry  to  learn  and  practise,  further  than  in  the  rude  cultivation 
of  small  fu'lds  of  corn  by  the  s{|uaws. 

In  this  condition  they  Merc  found  by  the  missionaries  who  were 
sent  to  establish  schools,  and  to  introduce  the  Gospel.  The  half- 
breeds  liad  now  become  numerous;  many  of  them  were  persons  of 
influence,  using  with  e(|ual  facility  the  respective  tongues  of  their 
civilized  and  savage  ancestors,  and  desirous  of  procuring  for  their 
children  the  advantages  they  had  but  partially  enjoyed  themselves. 
By  them  the  missionaries  were  favor;d)ly  received,  their  exertions 
encouraged,  and  their  schools  sustained;  but  the  great  mass  of  the 
Chcrokees  were  as  little  improved  by  these  as  other  portions  of  the 
race  have  been  by  similar  attempts. 

Sequoyah,  or,  as  he  was  commonly  called,  George  Guess,  is  the 
.son  of  a  white  man,  named  Cist,  and  of  a  female  who  was  of  the 
mixed  blood.  The  latter  was  perfectly  untaught  and  illiterate;, 
having  been  reared  m  the  wigwam  in  the  laborious  and  servile 


SKQUOYAII. 


37 


litibits  (if  tlio  TtnUan  women.  Slio  soon  bectinio  oithrr  a  widow  or 
a  noirlcctcd  svilb,  for  in  tho  inluufy  of  George,  wo  lioar  notliin<f  of 
tli(!  futlier,  wliile  the  motlier  is  known  to  liiivo  lived  iilone,  mann<,nii(r 
lier  little  i)ro[)erty,  and  maintaining  herself  by  her  own  exertions. 
That  she  was  a  woman  of  some  capacity,  is  evident  from  the  nndr- 
viatin"'  aflection  for  herself  with  which  she  inspired  her  son,  and 
the  inlluence  siie  exercised  over  him,  for  the  Indians  have  naturally 
but  little  respect  for  their  female  relations,  and  are  early  taught  to 
despise  the  character  and  the  occupations  of  women.  Sc(pioy;di 
seems  to  have  had  no  relish  for  the  rude  sports  of  the  Indian  Ijoys, 
for  when  rpiitc  young  he  would  often  stroll  off  alone  into  the  woods, 
and  employ  himself  in  builiUng  little  houses  with  sticks,  evincing 
thus  early  an  ingenuity  which  directed  itself  towards  mechanical 
labors.  At  length,  while  yet  a  small  boy,  he  went  to  work  of  his 
own  accord,  and  built  a  milk-house  tor  his  mother.  Ilcr  property 
consisted  chiefly  in  horses  and  cattle,  that  roamed  in  the  woods, 
and  of  which  she  owned  a  considerable  nund)er.  To  these  he  next 
turned  his  attention,  and  became  expert  in  milking  the  cows,  strain- 
ing the  milk,  and  putting  it  away  with  all  the  care  and  neatness  of 
an  experienced  dairyman.  lie  took  care  of  the  cattle  and  horses, 
and  when  he  grew  to  a  sufllcient  size,  would  l)roak  the  colts  to  the 
saddle  and  harness.  Their  farm  comprised  only  about  eight  acres 
of  cleared  ground,  which  he  [)lantod  in  corn,  and  cultivated  with 
the  hoe.  His  mother  was  much  pleased  with  the  skill  and  industry 
of  her  son,  while  her  neighbors  regarded  him  as  a  3-(iuth  of  uncom- 
mon capacity  and  steadiness.  In  addition  to  her  rustic  employ- 
ments, the  active  mother  opened  a  small  traffic  with  the  hunters, 
and  Secpioyah,  now  a  hardy  stripling,  would  accompany  these 
rough  men  to  the  woods,  to  make  selections  of  skins,  and  bring 
them  home.  While  thus  engaged  he  became  himself  an  expert 
hunter ;  and  thus  added,  by  his  own  exertions,  to  tbe  slendci 
income  of  his  mother.  When  we  recollect  that  men  who  live  on  a 
tliinlv  populated  frontier,  and  especially  savages,  incline  to  atliletic 


88 


BIOGRAPHY. 


exercises,  to  loose  liabits,  and  to  predatory  lives,  we  recognize  in 
these  pursnits  of  the  young  Sec[Uoyah,  the  indications  of  a  pacific 
disposition,  and  of  a  mind  elevated  above  the  sphere  in  which  he 
was  placed.  Under  more  favorable  circimistanccs  he  would  have 
risen  to  a  hish  rank  among  intellectual  men. 

The  tribe  to  which  he  belonged,  being  in  the  habit  of  A\(:ariiig 
silver  ornaments,  such  as  bracelets,  arm-bands,  and  broaches,  it 
occurred  to  the  inventive  mind  of  Sequoyah,  to  endeavor  to  manu- 
facture them;  and  without  any  instruction  he  commenced  the 
labors  of  a  silversmith,  and  soon  became  an  expert  artisan.  In  his 
intercourse  with  white  men  he  had  become  aware  that  they  pos- 
sessed an  art,  by  means  of  which  a  name  could  be  impressed  upon 
a  hard  substance,  so  .us  to  be  comprehended  at  a  glance,  by  any  ^\■ho 
were  acquainted  with  this  suigular  invention;  and  being  desirous 
of  identifying  his  own  work,  he  re([ucsted  Charles  Ilicks,  afterwards 
a  chief  of  the  Cherokees,  to  write  his  name.  Ilicks,  who  w  as  a 
half-blood,  and  had  been  taught  to  write,  complied  with  his  desire, 
but  spelled  the  name  George  Guess,  in  conformity  with  its  usual 
proMunciation,  and  this  has  continued  to  be  the  mode  of  wriling  it. 
Guess  now  made  a  die  containing  a  facsimile  of  his  name,  as 
written  by  Ilicks,  with  which  he  stamped  his  name  upon  the  arti- 
cles which  he  fabricated. 

He  continued  to  employ  himself  in  this  business  for  some  years, 
and  in  the  meanwhile  turned  his  attention  to  the  art  of  drawintr. 
He  made  sketches  of  horses,  cattle,  deer,  hcvises,  and  other  familiar 
objects,  which  at  first  were  as  rude  as  tho.se  which  the  Indians 
draw  upon  their  dressed  skins,  but  which  improved  so  raj)idly  as 
to  present,  at  length,  very  tolerable  resemblances  of  the  figures 
intended  to  be  copied.  He  had,  probably,  at  this  time,  never  seen 
a  picture  or  an  engravhig,  but  was  led  to  these  exercises  by  the 
stirrings  of  an  innate  propensity  for  the  imitative  arts.  He  became 
extremely  popular.  Amiable,  accommodating,  and  una-ssumiii',-,  he 
(hsplayed  an  industry  uncommon  among  iiis  people,  and  a  genius 


SEQUOYAH. 


39 


which  elevated  him  in  their  eyes  into  a  prodigy.  They  tlockexl  to 
him  from  tlie  neighborliood,  and  from  distant  settlements,  to  witness 
his  skill,  and  to  give  hi"i  employment;  and  the  untaught  Indian 
gazed  with  astonishment  at  one  of  liis  own  race  who  had  sponta- 
neously  caught  the  s[)irit,  and  was  rivalling  the  ingenuity  of  the 
civilized  man.  The  females,  especially,  were  attracted  by  his 
manners  and  his  skill,  and  lavished  upon  him  an  admiration  which 
distinguished  him  as  the  chief  favorite  of  those  who  are  ever  quick- 
sighted  in  discovering  the  excellent  qualities  of  die  other  sex. 

These  attentions  were  succeeded  by  their  usual  consequences. 
Genius  is  generally  united  with  ambition,  wl/ich  loves  applause, 
and  is  open  to  flattery.  Guess  was  still  young,  and  easily  seduced 
by  adulation.  His  circle  of  acciuaintance  became  enlarged,  the 
young  men  courted  his  friendship,  and  much  of  his  time  was  occu- 
pied in  receiving  visits,  and  discharging  thr  duties  of  hospitality. 
On  the  frontier  there  is  but  one  mode  of  evincing  friendship  or 
repaying  civility — driidcing  is  the  univcr.*al  pledge  of  cordiality, 
and  Guess  considered  it  necessary  to  regale  his  visitors  with  ardent 
spirits.  At  first  his  practice  v  as  to  place  the  bottle  before  his 
friends,  and  leave  tliem  to  enjoy  it,  under  some  plea  of  business  or 
disinclination.  An  innate  dread  of  intemperance,  or  a  love  of  indus- 
try, preserved  him  for  some  time  from  the  seductive  example  of  his 
revelling  companions.  But  his  caution  subsided  by  degrees,  and 
he  was  at  last  prevailed  upon  to  join  in  the  bacchanalian  orgies 
provided  by  the  fruits  of  his  own  industry.  His  lul)orio,  s  habits, 
thus  broken  in  upon,  soon  became  undernuned,  hi  liberality 
increa.sed,  and  the  imml)cr  of  his  friends  was  rapidly  enlarged.  He 
would  now  purchase  a  !vcg  of  wliisky  at  a  time,  and,  retiring  with 
Ills  companions  to  a  secluded  place  in  the  womls,  become  a  willing 
I)arty  to  those  boisterous  scenes  of  mad  intoxication  which  foim  the 
sole  object  and  the  entire  sum  of  an  Indian  revel.  The  common 
elfect  of  drinking,  upon  tlie  savage,  is  to  increase  his  ferocity,  and 
sharpen  his  brutal  appetite  for  blood;  the  social  and  enlivening 
6 


40 


BIOGRAPHY. 


influence  ascribed  to  the  ciip  by  the  Anacreontic  song,  forms  no 
part  of  his  experience.  Drunkenness,  and  not  companionship,  is 
the  purpose  in  view,  and  his  deep  potations,  imbibed  in  gloomy 
silence,  stir  up  tiic  latent  passions  that  he  is  trained  to  conceal,  but 
not  to  suljdue.  In  this  respect,  as  in  most  others,  Sequoyah  diHered 
from  his  race.  The  inebriating  draught,  while  it  stupefied  his 
intellect,  warmed  and  expaiided  his  benevolence,  and  made  him 
tl'.e  best  iiatnred  of  sots.  Under  its  influence  he  gave  advice  to  his 
comrades,  urging  them  to  forgive  injuries,  to  live  in  peac(>,  and  to 
aljstain  from  giving  (illence  to  the  whites,  or  to  each  oilier.  When 
his  companions  grew  quarrelsome,  he  would  sing  songs  to  amuse 
them,  and  while  thus  musically  employed  would  often  fall  asleep. 
Guess  was  in  a  fair  way  of  becoming  an  idle,  a  harmless,  and  a 
useless  vagabond;  but  there  was  a  redeeming  virtue  in  his  mind, 
which  enabled  it  to  react  against  temptation.  His  vigorous  intellect 
■foresaw  the  evil  tendencies  of  idleness  and  dissipation,  and  becoming 
weary  of  a  life  so  luicongenial  with  his  natural  disposition,  he  all 
at  once  gave  up  drinking,  and  took  up  the  trade  of  a  blacksmitli. 
Here,  as  in  other  cases,  he  was  his  own  instructor,  and  his  first  task 
was  to  make  for  himself  a  pair  of  bellows;  having  effected  which, 
he  proceeded  to  make  hoes,  axes,  and  other  of  the  most  simple 
implements  of  agriculture.  Before  he  went  to  work,  in  the  year 
1820,  he  paid  a  visit  to  some  friends  residing  at  a  Cherokee  village 
on  the  Tennessee  river,  during  which  a  conversation  occurred  on 
the  subject  of  the  art  of  writing.  Tlie  Indians,  keen  and  quick- 
sighted  witii  regard  to  all  the  prominent  pomts  of  difference  between 
themselves  and  the  whites,  had  not  failed  to  remark,  with  great 
curiosity  and  surprise,  tlie  fact  that  what  was  wiitten  by  one  person 
was  understood  by  another,  to  Avhom  it  was  delivered,  at  any  dis- 
tance of  time  or  place.  This  mode  of  communicating  thoughts,  or 
of  recording  facts,  has  always  been  the  subject  of  much  iiKpiiry 
among  them;  the  more  intelligent  liavc  sometimes  attempted  to 
detec*  tlie  imposition,  if  any  existed,  by  showing  the  same  writing 


SEQUOYAH. 


41 


to  different  persons;  but  fnitling  the  result  to  be  uniform,  have 
become  satisfied  that  the  white  men  possess  a  faculty  unknown  to 
the  Indians,  and  which  they  suppose  to  be  the  effect  of  sorcery,  or 
some  other  supernatural  cause.  In  the  conversation  alluded  to, 
great  stress  was  laid  on  this  power  of  the  white  man — on  his  ability 
to  put  his  thoughts  on  paper,  and  send  them  afar  off  to  speak  for 
him,  as  if  he  who  wrote  them  was  present.  There  \\a.s  a  general 
expression  of  astoni.shment  at  the  ingenuity  of  the  whites,  or  rather 
at  tlieir  possessioii  of  what  most  of  those  engaged  in  the  conversa- 
tion considered  as  a  distinct  faculty,  or  sense,  and  the  drift  of  the 
discussion  turned  u^jon  the  iiiquir;  whether  it  was  a  faculty  of  the 
mind,  a  gift  of  the  Great  Spirit,  or  a  mere  imposture.  Guess,  who 
had  listened  in  silence,  at  length  remarked,  that  he  did  not  regard 
it  as  being  so  very  extraordinary.  lie  considered  it  an  art,  and  not 
a  gift  of  the  Great  Sjjirit,  and  he  believed  he  could  invent  a  plan 
by  which  the  red  men  could  do  the  same  thing.  lie  had  heard  cT 
a  man  who  had  made  marks  on  a  rock,  which  other  white  n.ou 
interpreted,  and  he  thought  he  could  also  make  marks  which  would 
be  intelligible.  He  then  took  up  a  whetstone,  and  began  to  scratch 
figures  on  it  with  a  pin,  remarking,  tliat  he  coukl  teach  the  Chero- 
kecs  to  talk  on  paper  like  white  men.  The  company  laughed 
lu"irlily,  and  Guess  remained  silent  during  the  remainder  of  the 
c'-onu.^-.  The  subject  that  had  been  discussed  was  one  upouAvhich 
I:  1  a<;  long  and  seriously  reflected,  and  he  listened  with  interest 
to  v  ry  conversation  which  elicited  new  facts,  or  drew  out  the 
opinicb  of  other  men.  The  next  morning  he  again  employed 
himself  in  making  marks  upon  the  whetstone,  and  repeated,  that 
lie  was  satisfii>(1  he  could  invent  characters,  by  the  use  of  which  the 
Cherokees  couid  learn  to  read. 

Full  of  this  idea,  he  returned  to  his  nwn  hqme,  at  Will's  town, 
in  Will's  valley,  on  the  southern  waters  of  the  Coosa  river,  procured 
paper,  which  he  made  into  a  book,  and  coirmienccd  making  charac^ 
'.ers.     His  reflections  on  the  subject  had  led  him  to  the  conclusion, 


42 


BIOGRAPHY. 


that  the  letters  used  in  writing  represented  certain  words  or  ideas, 
and  being  uniform,  would  always  convey  to  the  reader  the  same 
idea  intended  by  the  writer — provided  the  S3'stem  of  characters 
which  had  been  taught  to  each  was  the  same.  His  project,  there- 
fore, was  to  invent  characters  which  should  represent  words ;  but 
after  proceeding  lal)oriously  for  a  considerable  time,  in  prosecution 
of  this  plan,  he  fov  -^  tliat  it  would  require  too  many  characters, 
and  that  it  would  bu  It  to  give  the  ref|uisite  variety  to  so 

great  a  number,  or  to  coiu.  them  to  memory  after  they  should  be 
invented.  But  his  time  was  not  wasted;  the  dawn  of  a  great  dis- 
cover}^ was  breaking  upon  his  vision ;  and  although  he  now  saw 
the  light  but  dimly,  he  was  satisfied  that  it  was  rapidly  increasing. 
He  had  imagined  the  idea  of  an  alphab(>t,  and  convinced  himself  of 
the  practicability  of  framing  one  to  suit  his  o\vn  language.  If  it  be 
asked  whv  he  did  not  apply  to  a  white  man  to  be  taught  the  use 
of  the  alphabet  already  in  existence,  rather  than  resort  to  the  hope- 
less task  of  inventing  another,  we  reply,  that  he  probably  acted 
upon  the  same  principle  which  had  induced  him  to  construct, 
instead  of  buying,  a  pair  of  bellows,  and  had  led  him  to  teach  him- 
self the  art  of  the  blackt.mith,  in  preference  to  ajiplying  to  others 
for  instruction.  Had  he  sought  information,  it  is  not  certain  he 
could  have  obtained  it,  for  he  was  surrounded  by  Indians  as  illite- 
rate as  himself,  and  by  whites  who  were  but  little  better  informed  ; 
and  ho  was  possessed,  besides,  of  that  self-reliance  which  renders 
genius  available,  and  which  enabled  him  to  appeal  with  confidence 
to  the  resources  of  his  own  mind.  He  now  conceived  the  plan  of 
making  characters  to  represent  sounds,  out  of  which  words  might 
be  compounded — a  system  in  Avhich  single  letters  should  stand  for 
syllables.  Acting  upon  this  idea,  with  his  usual  perseverance,  he 
worked  diligently  until  he  had  invented  eighty-six  characters,  and 
then  considered  that  he  had  completely  attained  his  object. 

Whil(>.  thus  engaged  be  was  visited  by  one  of  his  intimate  friends, 
who  told  him   he  came  to  1)eg  him  to  quit  his  design,  which  had 


SEQUOYAH. 


43 


made  him  a  laughing-stock  to  his  people,  who  began  to  consider 
him  a  fool.  Sequoyah  replied,  that  he  was  acting  upon  his  own 
responsibility,  and  as  that  which  he  had  undertaken  was  a  personal 
matter,  which  would  make  fools  of  none  beside  himself,  he  .should 
persevere. 

Being  confirmed  in  the  belief  that  his  eighty-six  characters,  with 
their  combinations,  embraced  the  Avhole  Cherokee  language,  he 
taught  them  to  his  little  daughter,  Ahijokah,  then  about  six  years 
of  age.  After  this  he  made  a  visit  to  Colonel  Lowry,  to  whom, 
although  his  residence  was  but  three  miles  distant,  he  had  never 
mentioned  the  design  which  had  engaged  his  constant  attention  for 
about  three  years.  But  this  gentleman  had  learned,  from  the  tell- 
tale voice  of  rumor,  the  manner  in  which  his  injjenious  neifdibor 
was  employed,  had  regretted  the  supposed  misapplication  of  his 
time,  and  participated  in  the  general  sentiment  of  derision  with 
which  the  whole  community  regarded  the  labors  of  the  once  popu- 
lar artisan,  but  now  despised  alphabet  maker.  "Well,"  said  Colonel 
Lowry,  "I  suppose  you  have  been  engaged  in  making  marks." 
"Yes,"  replied  Guess;  "when  a  talk  is  made  and  put  down,  it  is 
good  to  look  at  it  afterwards."  Colonel  Lowry  suggested,  that 
Guess  might  have  deceived  himself,  and  that,  liaving  a  good 
memory,  he  might  recollect  what  he  li:id  intended  to  write,  a.id 
suppose  he  was  reading  it  from  the  paper.  "  Not  so."  rejoined 
Guess;  "I  read  it." 

The  next  day  Colonel  Lowry  rode  over  to  the  house  of  Guess, 
when  the  latter  requested  his  little  daughter  to  repeat  the  alpha- 
bet. Tlie  child,  without  hesitation,  recited  the  characters,  giving 
to  each  the  sound  which  the  inventor  had  assigned  to  it,  and  per- 
forming the  task  with  such  case  and  rapidity  that  the  astonished 
visitor,  at  its  conclusion,  uttered  the  common  expression — "  Yoh!" 
with  which  the  Cherokees  express  surprise.  Unwilling,  however,  to 
yield  too  ready  an  assent  to  that  which  he  had  ridiculed,  he  added, 
"  It  sounds  like  Muscogee,  or  the  Creek  language ;"  meaning  to 


44 


BIOGRAPHY. 


convey  the  idea  that  tho  sounds  did  not  resemble  the  Cherokeo. 
Still  there  was  something  strange  in  it.  He  could  not  permit 
himself  to  believe  that  an  illiterate  Indian  had  invented  an  alphabet, 
and  perhaps  was  not  sufficiently  skilled  in  philology  to  bestow  a 
very  careful  investigation  upon  the  subject.  But  his  attention  was 
arrested ;  he  made  some  further  inquiry,  and  began  to  doubt  whether 
Sequoyah  was  the  deluded  schemer  which  others  thought  him. 

The  truth  was,  that  the  most  complete  success  had  attended  this 
extraordinary  ;iUcmpt,  and  George  Guess  was  the  Cadmus  of  his 
race.  Without  advice,  assistance,  or  encouragement — ignorant 
alike  of  books  and  of  the  various  arts  by  which  knov\lcdge  is  dis- 
seminated— with  no  prompter  but  his  own  genius,  and  no  guide 
but  the  light  of  reason,  he  had  formed  an  alphabet  for  a  rude 
dialect,  which,  until  then,  had  been  an  unwritten  tongue !  It  is 
only  necessary  to  state,  in  general,  th;it,  siibsequently,  the  invention 
of  Guess  was  adopted  by  intelligent  individuals  engaged  in  the 
benevolent  attempt  to  civdize  the  Cherokecs,  and  it  was  determined 
to  prepare  types  for  the  purpose  of  printing  books  in  that  tongue. 
Experience  demonstrated  that  Guess  had  proved  himself  successful, 
and  he  is  now  justly  esteemed  the  Cadmus  of  his  race.  The  con- 
ception and  execution  are  wholly  his  own.  Some  of  tlie  characters 
are  in  form  like  ours  of  the  English  alphabet ;  they  were  copied 
from  an  old  spclling-l)Ook  that  fell  in  his  way,  but  have  none  of  the 
powers  or  sounds  of  the  letters  thus  copied.  The  following  are  the 
characters  systematically  arranged  with  the  sounds. 


D    a 

s   ga  o  ka 
oi  ha 
w  la 
x'  ma 


R  c 

r  gc 

f  he 

cT  le 

w  me 


0    na  t,  hna  r.  nah  a  ne 


T   1 

y  gi 

A  hi 
r,  li 
11  mi 
h  ni 


dS  0 

A  go 

!■  ho 

G  lo 

■s  mo 

z  no 


1    qua 


J3  que     •»  qui     <v  quo 


o»  u 
J    gu 
r   liu 
M  lu 
y  mu 
■1  nu 
i»  quu 


1  y 

E  gv 
*/  hv 
a  Iv 

c  nv 
e  quv 


£5  s  F  sv  4  se 

i  d\v  w  ta  »  de  1 

ft  dla  E  tla  h  tie 

c  tsa  f  tse 

a  \va  33  we 


es  ya 


■^ye 


SEQUOYAH. 

b   si 

«   so 

V   su 

n   sv 

.1  di  J 

tih 

A   do 

s    du 

(T  dv 

0   tli 

HF    tlo 

■v  till 

p   tlv 

If  tsi 

K    tso 

J    tsii 

c=  tsv 

0      Wl 

«5    wo 

«    wu 

e   wv 

vs  yi 

h   yo 

cr  yu 

B   yv 

45 


SOUNDS  REPRESEN  TED  BY  VOWELS. 

a  as  a    in  father,  or  short  as  a  in  rical, 
e  as  a    in  hate,     or  short  as  e  in  met, 
i  as  ^     in  pique,   or  short  as  ^  in  j)it, 
0  as  a?2;  in  lam,      or  short  as  o  in  «o^, 
u  as  00  in  fool,      or  short  as  u  in  pull, 
V  as  M    in  but,  nasalized. 


CONSONANT  SOUNDS. 

g  nearly  as  in  English,  but  approaching  to  k.  d  nearly  as  in 
Enghsh,  but  approaching  to  t.  h,  k,  1,  m,  n,  q,  s,  t,  w,  y,  as  \u 
English. 

Syllables  beginning  with  g,  except  s,  have  sometimes  the  power 
of  k;  A,  s,  IT,  are  sometimes  sounded  to,  tu,  tv;  and  syllables  writ- 
ten with  tl,  except  £,  sometimes  vary  to  dl. 

Guess  completed  his  work  in  1821.  Several  of  his  maternal 
uncles  were  at  that  time  distinguished  men  among  the  Chcrokees. 
Among  them  was  Keahatahce,  Avho  presided  over  the  beloved  town, 
Echota,  the  town  of  refuge,  and  who  was  one  of  two  chiefs  who 
were  killed  by  a  party  of  fourteen  people,  while  under  the  protec- 
tion of  a  white  flag,  at  that  celebrated  place.  One  of  these  per.sons 
observed  to  him,  soon  after  he  hat!  made  his  discovery,  that  he  had 
been  taught  by  the  Great  Spirit.  Guess  replied,  that  he  had  taught 
himself  He  had  the  good  sense  not  to  arrogate  to  himself  any 
extraordinary  merit,  in  a  discovciry  which   he  considered  as   the 


46 


BIOGRAPHY. 


result  of  an  application  of  plain  principles.  Having  accomplished 
the  great  design,  he  began  to  histruct  others,  and  after  teaching 
many  to  read  and  write,  and  establishing  his  reputation,  he  left  the 
Cherokee  nation  in  1&'22,  and  went  on  a  visit  to  Arkansas,  where 
he  taught  those  of  his  tribe  who  had  emigrated  to  that  country. 
Shortly  after,  and  before  his  return  home,  a  correspondence  was 
opened  between  the  Cherokees  of  the  west  and  those  of  the  east  of 
the  Mississippi,  in  the  Cherokee  language.  In  1823,  he  deter- 
mined .0  emigrate  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi.  In  the  autumn, 
of  the  same  year,  the  general  council  of  the  Cherokee  nation  passed 
a  resolution,  awarding  to  Guess  a  silver  medal,  in  token  of  their 
regard  for  his  genius,  and  of  their  gratitude  for  the  eminent  service 
he  rendered  to  his  people.  The  modal,  which  was  made  at  Wash- 
ington city,  bore  on  one  side  two  pipes,  on  the  other  a  head,  with 
this  inscription — "Presented  to  George  Gist,  by  the  General  Coun- 
cil of  the  Cherokee  nation,  for  his  ingenuity  in  the  invention  of  the 
Cherokee  Alphabet."  The  inscription  was  the  same  on  both  sides, 
except  that  on  one  it  was  in  English,  and  on  the  other  in  Cherokee, 
and  in  the  characters  invented  by  Guess.  It  was  intended  that  this 
medal  should  be  presented  at  a  council,  but  two  of  the  chiefs  dying, 
John  Ross,  who  was  now  the  principal  chief,  being  desirous  of  the 
honor  and  gratification  of  making  the  presentation,  and  not  kuow- 
incr  when  Guess  might  return  to  the  nation,  sent  it  to  him  with  a 
written  address. 

Guess  has  never  since  revisited  that  portion  of  his  nation  which 
remains  upon  their  ancient  hunting-grounds,  east  of  the  Mississippi. 
In  1S28,  he  was  deputed  as  one  of  a  delegation  from  the  western 
Cherokees,  to  visit  the  President  of  the  United  States,  at  Washing- 
ton, when  the  likeness  which  we  have  copied  was  taken. 

The  name  which  this  individual  derived  from  his  father  was,  as 
we  have  seen,  George  Gist;  his  Indian  name,  given  him  by  his 
mother,  or  her  tribe,  is  Sequoyah;  but  we  have  chosen  to  use 
chiefly  in  tids  article,  that  by  which  he  is  popularly  known — 
George  Guess. 


TENSKWAUTAWAW. 


This  individual  is  a  person  of  slender  abilities,  who  acquired 
great  celebrity  from  the  circumstances  in  which  ho  happened 
to  be  placed,  and  from  his  connection  with  tlie  distinguished 
Tecumthe,  his  brother.  Of  the  latter,  unfortunately,  no  portrait 
was  ever  taken;  and,  as  the  two  brothers  acted  in  concert  in  the 
most  important  events  of  their  lives,  we  shall  embrace  what  we 
have  to  say  of  both,  in  the  present  article. 

We  have  received,  througli  the  politeness  of  a  friend,  a  narra- 
tive of  the  history  of  tliese  celebrated  Indians,  dictated  by  the 
Prophet  himself,  and  accurately  written  down  at  the  moment. 
It  is  valuable  as  a  curious  piece  of  autobiography,  coming  from 
an  unlettered  savage,  of  a  race  remarkable  for  tenacity  of  memory, 
and  for  the  fidelity  with  which  tliey  preserve  and  transmit  their 
triulitions,  among  themselves ;  while  it  is  to  be  received  with 
great  allowance,  in  consequence  of  the  habit  of  exaggeration 
which  marks  the  communications  of  that  people  to  strangers. 
In  their  intercourse  with  each  other,  truth  is  esteemed  and 
practised;  but,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  high  minded  men, 
little  reliance  is  to  be  placed  upon  any  statement  made  by  an 
Indian  to  a  white  man.  The  same  code  which  inculcates  an 
inviolable  faith  among  them.selves,  justifies  any  deception  towards 
an  enemy,  or  one  of  an  alien  race,  for  which  a  sufficient  motive 
may  be  held  out.  We  know,  too,  that  barbarous  nations,  in  all 
ages,  have  evinced  a  decided  propensity  for  the  marvellous,  which 
has  been  especially  indulged  in  tracing  the  pedigree  of  a  family, 
7  (47) 


48 


BIOGRAPHY. 


or  the  origin  of  a  nation.  With  this  prefatory  caution,  we 
proceed  to  give  the  story  of  Tenskwautawaw,  as  related  by 
himself— compiled,  however,  in  our  own  language,  from  the  loose 
memoranda  of  the  original  transcriber. 

llis  paternal  grandfather  was  a  Creek,  who,  at  a  jjeriod  which 
is  not  defined  in  the  manuscript  before  us,  went  to  one  of  the 
southern  cities,  either  Savannah  or  Charleston,  to  hold  a  council 
with  the  English  governor,  whose  daughter  was  present  at  some 
of  the  interviews.  This  young  lady  had  conceived  a  violent 
admiration  for  the  Indian  cliaracter;  and,  having  determined  to 
bestow  herself  upon  some  "  warlike  lord''  of  the  forest,  she  took 
this  occasion  to  communicate  her  partiality  to  her  father.  The 
next  uiorning,  in  the  council,  the  governor  in(iuired  of  the 
Indians  which  of  them  was  the  most  expert  hunter;  and  the 
grandfather  of  Tecumthe,  tlien  a  young  and  handsome  man,  Aviio 
sat  modestly  in  a  retired  part  ol'  the  room,  was  pointed  out  to 
him.  When  the  council  broke  up  for  the  day,  the  governor 
asked  his  daughter  if  she  was  really  so  partial  to  the  Indians  as 
to  prefer  selecting  a  husband  from  among  them ;  and  finding 
tLat  she  persisted  in  this  singular  predilection,  he  directed  her 
attention  to  the  young  Creek  warrior,  for  whom,  at  first  sight, 
she  avowed  a  decided  attachment.  On  the  following  mornin<'- 
the  governor  announced  to  the  Creeks,  that  his  daughter  was 
disposed  to  marry  one  of  their  number ;  and,  having  pointed  out 
the  individual,  added,  that  his  consent  would  be  given.  The 
chiefs,  at  first,  very  naturally,  doubted  whether  the  governor  was 
in  earnest;  but,  upon  his  assuring  them  that  he  was  .sincere, 
tliey  advised  the  young  man  to  embrace  the  lady  and  her  ofi'er. 
lie  was  not  so  ungallant  as  to  refuse;  and,  having  consenteil  to 
the  fortune  that  was  thus  buckled  on  him,  was  inmiediately 
taken  to  another  apartment,  where  he  was  disrobed  of  his  Indian 
costume  by  a  train  of  black  servants,  washed,  and  clad  in  a  new 
suit,  an(l  the  marriage  ceremony  was  immediately  performed. 


TENSKWAUTAWAVV. 


4ff 


At  the  close  of  the  council  the  Creeks  returned  home,  but  the 
young  hunter  remained  with  his  wife.  He  amused  iiimself  in 
hunting,  in  which  ho  was  very  successful,  and  was  accustomed  to 
take  a  couple  of  black  servants  with  him,  who  seldom  failed  to 
bring  in  large  quantities  of  game,  lie  lived  among  tlie  whites, 
until  his  wife  had  borne  him  two  daughters  and  a  son.  Upon 
the  birth  of  tlie  latter,  tlie  governor  went  to  see  his  grandson,  and 
was  so  well  pleased  that  he  called  his  frienils  together,  and 
caused  thirty  guns  to  be  fired.  When  the  boj-  was  seven  or 
tiight  years  old  the  father  died,  and  the  governor  took  charge  of 
Iho  child,  who  was  often  visited  by  the  Creeks.  At  the  age  of 
ten  or  twelve  he  was  permitted  to  accompany  the  Indians  to  their 
nation,  where  he  spent  some  time;  and,  two  years  after,  he  again 
made  a  long  visit  to  the  Creeks,  whu  then,  with  a  lew  Shawanoes, 
lived  on  a  river  called  Pauseekoalaakee,  and  began  to  adopt 
their  dress  and  customs.  They  gave  him  an  Indian  name, 
Pukcshinwa'j,  which  means,  something  tluit  drops  down ;  and, 
al'ler  learning  their  language,  he  became  so  much  attached  to  the 
Indian  mode  of  life,  that,  when  the  governor  sent  for  liim,  he 
refused  to  return.  He  married  a  Creek  woman,  but  afterwards 
discarded  her^  and  united  himself  with  Metiioataaskee,  a  Shawa- 
noe,  who  was  the  mother  of  Tecumthe,  and  our  narrator,  the 
Prophet.  The  oldest  son  by  this  marriage  -was  Cheeseekau; 
and,  six  years  afterwards,  a  daughter  was  born,  who  was  called 
Menewaulaakoosee ;  then  a  son,  called  Sauavvaseekau,  soon  after 
whose  birth,  the  Shawanoes  determined  to  remove  to  other  hunt- 
ing-grounds. His  wiie,  being  unwilling  to  separate  from  her 
tribe,  Pukeshinwau  accompanied  them,  after  first  paying  a  visit 
to  his  grandfather.  At  parting,  the  governor  gave  him  a  written 
paper,  and  told  him,  that  upon  showing  it  at  any  time  to  the 
Americans,  they  would  grant  any  request  which  he  might  malie — 
but  that  he  need  not  show  it  to  French  traders,  as  it  would  only 
vex  them,  and  make  them  exclaim,  sacre  Dicu.    His  family,  with 


00 


BIOGRAPHY. 


about  half  tlio  Sliiuvunocs,  tlioii  roinovod  to  old  Chilicotiic;  thti 
other  liiilf  dividrd  niraiii,  a  part  rcmaiiiinj^  with  the  Crooks,  and 
tlic  rcniaiiidor  going  lioyoiid  the  Mississippi.  Tofiiiiitlir  was 
horn  on  tho  journoy.  I'ukoshinwau  was  killed  at  the  hattlc  of 
Point  Pleasant,  in  Uie  autuniu  of  1774,  and  the  Propliet  was 
born  tho  following  winter. 

The  fourtli  child  of  this  family  was  Tecunitho — the  liftli, 
Nohaaseemoo,  a  boy — and  tho  sixth,  the  Prophet,  whose  name  was, 
originally,  Laulewaasikaw,  but  was  changed,  when  he  assumed 
his  character  of  Prophet,  to  Tenskwautawaw,  or  the  Opru  door. 
Tecumthe  was  ten  years  older  than  the  Prophet;  the  latter  was 
one  of  three  brothers,  born  at  a  birUi,  one  of  whom  died  imme- 
diately after  birth,  while  the  otlior,  whose  name  was  Kmnskaukau, 
lived  until  a  few  years  ago.  The  eldest  brother  ha<l  a  daughter, 
who,  as  well  as  a  daughter  of  Tecumthe,  is  living  beyond  the 
Mississippi.  No  otlier  descendant  of  the  family  remains,  except 
a  son  of  Tecumthe,  who  now  lives  wiUi  the  Prophet. 

Fabulous  as  the  account  of  the  origin  of  this  fanuly  undoubt- 
edly is,  the  Prophet's  information  as  to  the  names  and  ages  of 
his  brothers  and  sisters  may  be  relied  upon  as  accurate,  and  as 
all'ording  a  complete  refutation  of  the  common  report,  which 
represents  Tenskwautawaw  and  Tecumthe  as  the  ofl'spring  of  tho 
same  birth. 

The  early  life  of  the  Prophet  was  not  distinguished  by  any 
important  event,  nor  would  his  name  ever  have  been  known 
to  fame,  but  for  his  connection  with  his  distinguished  brother. 
Tecumthe  was  a  person  of  commanding  talents,  who  gave  early 
indications  of  a  genius  of  a  superior  order.*  While  a  boy  he  was 
a  leader  among  liis  playmates,  and  was  in  the  habit  of  arranging 


*  I'lir  most  of  our  .";icts,  in  lelalion  to  Tt'ciimlliu,  wo  arc  indebted  to  Kcnjamin 
Drake,  I ',-11.,  iif  Ciiiciiinati,  who  is  prcparinj;  an  extended  memoir  of  tiiat  chief. 
Sliould  he  complete  tho  work,  it  will,  doubtless,  be  compiled  with  accuracy  and 
written  with  elegance. 


TENSKWAUTAWAVV. 


01 


th»'m  ill  piirties  for  tlic  purpose  of  fighting  sharn  hutllrs.  At  this 
curly  !i^o  Ills  vigilmicc,  as  \\(>11  as  liis  courago,  is  said  to  Imve 
Ijccu  roinarkahly  dcvoh)pc(l  in  his  wholo  clfportnitiit.  One  only 
exception  is  rcport(t(l  to  have  occurred,  in  which  this  leader,  like 
tho  no  loss  illustrious  Jlcd  Jacket,  stained  his  youthful  character 
by  an  :u  t  of  pusillanimity.  At  the  ago  of  rd'teen  ho  wont,  for  the 
tirst  time,  into  l)attlo,  under  tlio  cliarge  of  liis  elder  brother,  and 
at  the  commencement  of  the  engagement  ran  off,  completely  panic- 
stricken.  This  event,  which  may  be  considered  as  remarkable,  in 
the  life  of  an  individual  so  conspicuous  through  his  whole  after 
career  for  daring  intrepidity,  occurred  on  the  baidis  of  Mad  River, 
near  the  present  site  of  Dayton.  But  Tocumtlio  poss  ssed  too 
much  pride,  and  too  strong  a  mind,  to  ri>main  long  under  tlu> 
disgrace  incurred  by  a  momentary  weakness,  and  ho  shortly  after- 
wards distinguished  himself  in  an  attack  on  some  boats  descending 
tlic  Ohio.  A  prisoner,  taken  on  this  occasion,  was  burnt,  with 
all  the  horrid  ceremonies  attendant  upon  this  dreadful  exhibition 
of  savage  ferocity;  and  Tccumthe,  sliocked  at  a  scene  so  unbe- 
coming the  character  of  the  warrior,  expressed  his  abhorrence  in 
terms  so  strong  and  olorpieut,  that  the  wholo  party  came  to  the 
resolution  that  they  woidd  discontinue  the  practice  of  torturing 
the  prisoners  at  the  stake.  A  more  striking  proof  of  the  genius 
of  Tccumthe  could  not  be  given ;  it  must  have  rocpiired  no 
small  degree  of  independence  and  strength  of  mind,  to  enaljle  an 
Indian  to  arrive  at  a  conclusion  so  entirely  at  variance  with  all 
tho  established  usages  of  his  people ;  nor  coidd  he  have  impressed 
others  with  his-  own  novel  opinions  without  the  exertion  of  great 
powers  of  argument,  lie  remained  firm  in  tho  benevolent  reso- 
lution thus  early  formed;  but  we  are  unable  to  say  how  far  his 
example  conduced  to  the  extirpation  of  the  horrid  rite  to  which 
we  have  alluded,  and  which  is  now  seldom,  if  at  all,  practised. 
Colonel  Crawford,  who  was  burned  in  17S2,  is  the  last  victim  to 


52 


BIOGRAPHY. 


the  savage  propensity  for  reven<re,  who  is  known  to  have  suffered 
this  cruel  torture. 

Tecumtlie  seems  to  have  been  connected  with  his  outi  tribe 
liy  slender  ties,  or  to  have  had  a  mind  so  constituted  as  to  raise 
him  above  the  partialities  and  prejudices  of  clanship,  which  are 
usually  so  deeply  rooted  in  the  Indian  breast.  Throughout  iiis 
life  he  was  ahvayt.  acting  in  concert  with  tribes  ol'.ier  th^n  his 
own.  In  1789,  he  removed,  with  a  party  of  Kickapoos,  to  the 
Cherokee  country ;  and,  shortly  after,  joined  the  Creeks,  wiio 
were  then  engasied  in  hostilities  with  the  whites.  In  these  wars, 
Tecumtlie  became  distinguished,  often  leading  war  parties — some- 
times attacked  in  his  camp,  but  always  acquitting  himself  with 
ability.  On  one  occasion,  when  surrounded  in  a  swamp,  by 
superior  numbers,  he  relieved  himself  by  a  masterly  charge  on 
the  whites;  through  whose  ranks  he  cut  his  way  with  desperate 
courxge.  He  returned  to  Ohio  immediately  after  llai.ner's  defeat, 
ill  1791 ;  he  headed  a  party  sent  out  to  watcV.  the  movements 
of  St.  Clair,  while  organizing  his  army,  and  is  suj)posed  to  have 
participated  in  the  active  and  bloody  scenes  whi^h  eventuated  in 
the  destruction  of  that  ill-starred  expedition. 

In  1792,  Tecumthe,  with  ten  men,  v^as  attacked  by  twenty-eight 
whites,  under  the  command  of  the  celebrated  Simon  Kenton,  and, 
after  a  spirited  engagement,  the  latter  were  defeated ;  and,  in 
1793,  he  was  again  successful  in  repelling  an  attack  by  a  party 
of  whites,  wliOse  numbers  were  superior  to  his  o\vn. 

The  celebrated  victory  of  General  Wayne,  in  which  a  large 
body  of  Indians,  well  organized,  and  skilfully  led,  was  must 
signally  defeated,  took  place  in  1794,  and  protluced  an  entire 
change  in  the  reh'ions  then  existing  between  the  American  people 
and  the  aborigines,  by  crushing  the  power  of  the  latter  at  a  single 
blow,  and  dispersing  the  elements  of  a  powerful  coalition  of  tiie 
tribes.  In  that  battle,  Tecumtlie  led  a  party,  and  was  with  the 
advance  which  met  the  attack  of  the  infantry,  and  bore  the  brunt 


TENSKWAUTAWAW. 


63 


of  the  severest  fighting.  When  the  Indians,  completely  over- 
powered, vere  compelled  to  retreat,  Tecumthe,  with  two  or  three 
olucrs,  rushed  on  a  small  party  of  their  enemies,  who  had  a  field- 
piece  in  charge,  drove  them  from  the  gun,  and  cutting  loose  the 
horses,  mounted  them,  and  fled  to  the  main  body  of  the  Indians. 

In  1795  Terumthe  again  raised  a  war  party,  nd,  for  the  first 
time,  styled  himself  a  chief,  although  he  was  never  regularly 
raised  to  that  dignity;  and,  in  the  following  year,  he  resided  in 
Ohio,  near  Piqua.  Two  years  afterwards,  he  joined  the  Delawares, 
in  Indiana,  on  White  river,  and  continued  to  reside  with  them 
for  seven  years. 

About  the  year  1806,  this  highly-gifted  warrior  began  to  exhibit 
the  initial  movements  of  his  great  plan  for  expelling  the  whites 
from  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  Indians  had,  for  a  long 
series  of  years,  witnessed  with  anxiety  the  encroachments  of  a 
populatii  1  superior  to  themselves  in  address,  in  war,  and  in  all 
the  arts  of  civil  Tfe,  until,  having  been  driven  beyond  the  Alle- 
ghany ridge,  they  fancied  that  nature  had  interposed  an  impassa- 
ble barrier  between  them  and  their  oppressors.  They  were  not, 
however,  suffered  to  repose  long  in  this  imaginary  security.  A 
race  of  hardy  men,  led  on  step  by  step  in  the  pursuit  of  game, 
and  in  search  of  fertile  lands,  pursued  the  footsteps  of  the  savage 
through  the  fastnesses  of  tiie  mountains,  a"  i  explored  tliose  broad 
and  prolific  plains,  which  had  been  spoken  of  before,  in  reports 
supposed  to  be  partly  fabulous,  but  which  were  now  found  to 
surpass  in  extent,  and  in  the  magnificence  of  their  scenery  and 
vegetation,  all  that  trivellers  had  written,  or  the  most  .  .edulous 
had  imagined.  Individuals  and  colonies  began  to  ei.- 'grate,  and 
tlie  Indians  saw  that  again  tliey  were  to  be  disposse.>.scd  of  their 
choicest  hunting-grounds.  Wars  followed,  the  history  of  which 
we  have  not  room  to  relate — wars  of  the  most  unsparing  character, 
fought  with  scenes  of  hardy  and  romantic  valor,  and  with  the 
most  heart-rending  incidents  of  domestic  distress.     The  vicissitudes 


54 


BIOGRAPHY. 


of  these  hostilities  were  such  as  alternately  to  flatter  and  iilarir. 
each  party ;  biii  as  year  after  year  rolled  away,  the  truth  becam<! 
rapidly  developed,  that  the  red  men  were  dwindling  and  c  dinii-, 
while  the  descendants  of  the  Europeans  were  increasing  in 
numbers,  and  pressing  forward  with  gigantic  footsteps.  Coalitions 
of  the  tribes  bvigan  to  be  formed,  but  they  were  feebly  organized, 
and  briefly  united.  A  common  cause  roused  all  the  tribes  to 
hostility,  and  the  whole  frontier  presented  scenes  of  violence. 
HarnT^r,  St.  Clair,  and  other  gallant  leaders,  sent  to  defend  the 
settlements,  were  driven  back  by  the  irritated  savages,  who 
refused  to  treat  on  any  other  condition  than  that  which  should 
eslablish  a  boundary  to  any  farther  advance  of  the  whites.  Their 
first  hope  was  to  exclude  the  latter  from  the  valley  of  the  Mi.ssis- 
sippi;  but,  driven  from  this  position  by  the  rapid  settlement  of 
western  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  the}'  assumed  the  Ohio  river 
as  their  boundary,  and  proposed  to  make  peace  with  General 
Wayne,  on  his  agreeing  to  that  stream  as  a  permanent  line 
between  the  red  and  white  men.  After  their  defeat  by  that  veteran 
leader,  all  negotiation  for  a  permanent  boundary  ceased,  the  tribes 
dispersed,  each  to  fight  iiS  ov  .  wars,  and  to  strike  for  plunder  or 
revenge,  as  opportunity  migiit  offer. 

Tecumtbe  seems  to  have  been,  at  this  time,  the  only  Indian 
who  had  the  genius  to  conceive,  and  the  perseverance  to  a1temj)t, 
an  extended  scheme  of  warfare  against  the  encroachment  of  the 
wiiites.  I  lis  ])Ian  embraced  a  general  union  of  all  the  Indians 
against  all  white  men,  and  proposed  the  entire  expulsion  of  tiie 
latter  from  the  valley  of  tlie  Mississip])i.  He  passed  from  tribe 
to  tribe,  urging  the  necessity  of  a  combination  which  shotdd  make 
a  common  cause;  and  burying,  for  a  time,  all  feuds  among  them- 
selves, wage  a  general  war  airainst  the  invader  who  was  expelling 
them,  all  alike,  from  their  hunting-grounds,  and  wiio  would  not 
cease  to  drive  tliem  towards  tlie  setting  sun,  until  tlie  last  remnant 
of  their  race  should   be  luirled  into  the  great  ocean  of  the  West. 


TENSKWAUTAWAW. 


65 


This  great  warrior  had  the  sagacity  to  perceive,  that  the  traffic 
with  the  whites,  by  creating  new  and  artificial  wants  among  the 
Imiians,  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  rendering  the  latter 
dependent  on  the  former;  and  he  pointed  oul  to  them,  in  forcible 
language,  the  impossibility  of  carrying  on  a  successful  war  while 
they  depended  on  their  enemies  for  the  supply  of  articles  which 
habit  was  rendering  necessary  to  their  existence.  He  showed  the 
pernicious  influence  of  ardent  spirits,  the  great  instrument  of  savage 
degradation  and  destruction ;  but  he  also  explained,  that  in  using 
the  guns,  ammunition,  knives,  blankets,  cloth,  and  other  articles 
manufactured  by  the  whites,  thoy  had  raised  up  enemies  in 
their  own  wants  and  appetites,  more  efficient  than  the  troops  of 
their  oppressors.  He  urged  them  to  return  to  the  simple  habits 
of  their  fathers — to  reject  all  superfluous  ornaments,  to  dress  in 
skins,  and  to  use  such  weapons  as  they  could  fabricate,  or  wrest 
by  force  from  the  enemy;  and,  setting  the  example,  he  lived  an 
ahslemious  life,  uiid  stcruiy  rejected  the  use  of  articles  punhasod 
from  t'.io  traders. 

Tecumthe  was  not  only  bold  and  eloquent,  but  ;acious  and 
subtle;  and  he  determined  to  appeal  to  the  prejudici.-,  as  wt-ll  as 
the  rea.son,  of  his  race.  The  Indians  are  very  sujjerstitiuus;  vague 
as  their  notions  are  respecting  the  Deity,  they  believe  in  the 
existence  of  a  Great  Sj)iiU,  to  whom  they  look  up  with  great  fear 
and  reverence ;  and  artful  men  have,  from  time  to  time,  appeared 
among  them,  who  have  swayed  their  credulous  minds,  by  means 
nl'  pretended  revelations  from  Heaven.  Seizing  upon  this  trait 
(if  the  Indian  character,  the  crafty  projector  of  this  great  revolu- 
tion prepared  his  brother,  Tenskwautawaw,  or  Ellsquatawa,  (for 
the  name  is  pronounced  both  ways,)  to  assimie  the  character  ol' 
a  Prophet;  and,  about  the  year  ISOO,  the  latter  began  to  have 
dreams,  and  to  deliver  predictions.  His  name,  which,  previous 
to  this  time,  was  Olliwachica,  was  changed  to  that  by  which  he 
was   atterwanis  generally  known,  and   which   signifies  "Me  ojxn 


66 


BIOGRAPHY. 


door''-  -by  wliicli  il  wan  intended  to  reprcsotil  liiin  as  l/ie  way,  or 
door,  wliich  had  been  opened  lor  llie  delivcnince  of  tbe  red  people. 

Instead  of  coufmiiiif  tliese  intrimu's  to  their  own  tribe,  a  villau'e 
was  tstabhshed  on  the  Wabash,  which  soon  became  known  as 
the  Prophets  lutvn,  and  was  for  many  years  the  eliief  scene  of  tlie 
plots  formed  against  the  peace  of  the  frontier.  Here  the  Prophet 
denounced  the  wlute  man,  and  invoked  the  rnaletliction  of  the 
Great  Spirit  upon  tlic  recreant  Indian  who  should  live  in  friendly 
intercourse  with  the  hated  race.  Individuals  from  dillerent  tribes 
in  that  region — Miamis,  Weas,  I'iankashaws,  Kickapoos,  Dela- 
wares,  anil  Shawanoes  collected  around  him,  and  were  prepared  to 
execute  his  commands.  The  Indians  tlius  assembled,  were  by  no 
means  the  mo.st  reputable  or  ellicieut  of  their  respective  tribes, 
but  were  the  young,  tlie  loose,  the  idle;: — and  licre,  as  is  the  case 
in  civilized  societies,  tho.se  who  ha-.i  least  to  lose  were  foremost  in 
jeoparding  the  blood  and  pro[)erty  of  the  whole  people.  The  chiefs 
held  back,  and  either  opposed  the  Prophet  or  stood  uncommitted. 
They  had,  doubtless,  intelligmcc  enough  to  know  that  he  was  an 
impostor;  nor  were  they  disposed  to  (Micourage  the  brotliers  in 
assuming  to  1)C  leaders,  and  in  the  ac([uisition  of  authority  wliich 
threatened  to  rival  their  own.  Indeed,  all  that  portion  of  the  sur- 
rounding tribss  whicli  might  be  termed  the  ariafocnillr,  the  chiefs 
and  their  relatives,  the  aged  men  and  distnigiiished  warriors,  stood 
aloof  from  a  conspiracy  which  seemed  desperate  and  hopeless, 
while  the  younger  warriors  listened  with  cii  >hdity  to  the  Propliet, 
and  were  kindled  into  ardor  by  tlie  cloquem.  nf  Tecumthe.  The 
hitter  continued  to  travel  from  tribe  to  tribe,  pursuing  the  darling 
object  of  his  life,  with  incessant  laixir,  commanding  respect  by  the 
dignity  and  manliness  of  his  character,  and  winning  adherents  by 
the  boldness  of  his  public  addresses,  as  well  as  i)y  the  sul)tlety  witli 
which,  in  secret,  he  app(%iled  to  individual  interest  or  pas.sion. 

This  .state  of  things  continued  for  several  years.  Most  of  the 
fiidian  tribes  were  ostensibly  at  peace  with  the  United  Sta'es;  liut 


TENSKWAUTAWAVV 


fi? 


the  tribes,  tlioiigli  unaiiiinous  in  their  hatred  against  the  wliite 
people,  wore  divided  in  opinion  as  to  the  proper  poUey  to  be  pur 
sued,  and  distracted  by  intestine  conflicts.  The  more  prudent 
deprecated  an  open  rupture  with  our  government,  which  would 
deprive  them  of  their  annuities,  tlieir  trallic,  and  the  presents 
which  llowed  in  upon  them  periodically,  while  the  great  mass 
thirsted  for  revenge  and  plunder.  The  British  authorities  in 
Canada,  alarmed  at  the  rapid  spread  of  our  .settlements,  dispersed 
their  agents  along  the  frontier,  and  industriously  fomented  the.se 
jealousies.  Small  parties  of  Indians  scoured  the  country,  com- 
mitting thefts  and  murders — unacknowledged  by  their  tribes,  but 
undoubtedly  approved,  if  not  expressly  sanctioned,  at  their  ouncil 
lires. 

The  Indiana  territory  having  been  recently  organized,  and 
Governor  Harrison  being  invested  with  the  olllce  of  superintendent 
of  Indian  afTairs,  it  became  his  (hity  to  hold  fre(pient  treaties  with 
the  Indians;  and,  on  these  occasions,  Tecunithe  and  the  Prophet 
were  prominent  men.  The  latter  is  described  as  the  most  graceful 
and  agreeable  of  Indian  orators;  he  was  eas}',  suljlle,  and  insinuat- 
ing— not  powerful,  but  persuasive  in  argument ;  and,  it  was 
remarked,  tliat  he  never  spoke  when  Tecumthe  was  present.  He 
was  tlie  instrument,  and  Tecumtlie  the  master-spirit,  the  bold 
warrior,  the  able,  elocpient,  fearless  speaker,  who,  in  any  assembly 
of  his  own  race,  awed  all  around  him  by  the  energy  of  his 
cliaractcr,  and  stood  forward  as  the  leading  individual. 

Tiie  ground  assumed  by  tlieso  l)rothers  was,  that  all  previous 
ticalirs  between  the  Indians  and  the  American  gcni-rnnient  were 
invalid,  having  l)een  made  without  authority.  They  asserted  that 
the  lauds  inlial)it(N|  by  the  Indians,  In-longed  to  all  tlu!  trii)es 
indiscriminately — that  tlie  (Ireat  Spirit  had  given  them  to  Ihr 
Indians  for  Imnting-grounds — that  eacli  tril)e  had  a  right  to  certain 
tracts  of  country  so  long  as  they  occupied  them,  but  no  longer — 
that  if  one  Irilie  moved  away,  another  might  take  possession ;  and 


58 


•BIOGRAPHY. 


tlipy  contended  ibr  a  kind  of  entail,  which  prevented  any  tribe 
from  alienating  that  to  which  ho  had  only  a  present  possessory 
right.  Tliey  insisted,  therefore,  that  no  trihe  had  authority  to 
transfer  any'oil  to  the  whites,  without  the  assent  of  all;  and  that, 
consecpiently,  all  the  treaties  that  had  been  made  were  void.  Jt 
was  in  support  of  tlie.se  plausible  propositions  that  Tecumtho 
made  his  best  speeches,  and  showed  especially  his  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  by  his  artful  appeals  to  the  prejudices  of  the  Indians. 
He  was,  when  he  pleased  to  be  so,  a  great  demagogue ;  and  wiien 
he  coi  descended  to  court  the  people,  was  eminently  successful. 
In  his  public  harangues  he  acted  on  this  principle;  and,  while 
he  was  ostensibly  addressing  the  governor  of  Indiana,  or  the  chiefs 
who  sat  ill  council,  his  speeches,  highly  inflammatory,  yet  well 
digested,  were  all,  in  fact,  directed  to  the  niidtitudc.  It  was  on 
such  an  occasion  that,  in  ridiculing  the  idea  of  selling  a  country, 
he  broke  out  in  the  exclamation — "  Sell  a  country  !  why  not  sell 
the  air,  the  cloud.s,  and  the  great  sea,  as  well  as  the  earth?  Did 
not  the  Great  Spirit  make  them  all  for  the  use  of  his  children  ?" 

We  select  the  following  pas.sages  from  the  "Memoirs  of  General 
Harrison." 

"In  1809,  Governor  Harrison  purchased  from  the  Delawares, 
Miamis,  and  Potawatimies,  a  large  tract  of  country  on  both  sides 
of  the  "Wabash,  and  extending  up  that  river  about  sixty  miles 
above  Vincennes.  Tecumthe  was  absent,  and  his  lirother,  not  feel- 
ing himself  interested,  made  no  opposition  to  the  treaty ;  but  the 
former,  on  his  return,  expressed  great  dissatisfaction,  and  threat(>ned 
some  of  the  chiefs  with  death,  who  had  made  the  treaty.  Governor 
Harrison,  hearing  of  his  displeasure,  despatched  a  messeiig(>r  to 
invite  him  to  come  to  Vincennes,  and  to  assure  him,  'that  any 
claims  lie  might  have  to  the  lands  which  had  been  ceded,  were  not 
affected  by  tlu;  treaty;  that  he  might  come  to  Vincennes  and 
exhibit  his  pretensions,  and  if  they  were  found  to  be  valid,  the  land 
would  be  cither  given  up,  or  an  ample  compensation  made  for  it.' 


TENSKWAUTAWAW. 


59 


"Having  no  conficlonoe  in  the  faith  of  Tccumthe,  the  governor 
directed  that  he  should  not  hring  witli  liim  more  than  thirty 
warriors;  but  he  came  with  four  hundred,  completely  armed. 
The  people  of  Vincennes  were  in  great  alarm,  nor  was  the  governor 
without  apprehension  that  treachery  was  intended.  This  suspicion 
was  not  diminished  by  the  conduct  of  the  chief,  who,  on  the  morning 
after  his  arrival,  refused  to  hold  the  council  at  the  place  appointed, 
under  an  affected  belief  that  treachery  was  intended  on  our  side. 

"  A  large  portico  in  front  of  the  governor's  hou.se  had  been  pre- 
pared for  the  purpose  with  seats,  as  well  for  the  Indians  as  for  the 
citizens  who  were  expected  to  attend.  "When  Tecumthe  came 
from  his  camp,  with  about  forty  of  ids  warriors,  he  stood  off,  and 
on  being  invited  by  the  governor,  through  an  interpreter,  to  take 
his  seat,  refused,  observing  that  he  w  ished  the  council  to  be  held 
under  the  shade  of  some  trees  in  front  of  the  house.  When  it  was 
objected  that  it  would  be  troublesome  to  remove  the  seats,  he  replied, 
'  that  it  would  only  be  necessary  to  remove  those  intended  for  the 
whites — that  the  red  men  were  accustomed  to  sit  upon  the  earth, 
which  was  their  mother,  and  that  they  were  always  happy  to  recline 
upon  her  bosom.' 

"At  this  council,  held  on  the  12th  of  Aupfust,  1910,  Tecumthe 
delivered  a  speech,  of  which  we  find  the  following  report,  contain- 
ing the  sentiments  uttered,  but  in  a  language  very  diflerent  from 
that  of  the  Indian  orator : 

" '  I  have  made  myself  what  I  am ;  and  I  would  that  I  could 
make  the  red  people  as  great  as  the  conceptions  of  my  mind,  when 
I  think  of  the  Great  Spirit  that  rules  over  all.  I  would  not  then 
come  to  Governor  Harrison  to  a.sk  him  to  tear  the  treaty ;  but  1 
would  say  to  him.  Brother,  you  have  liberty  to  return  to  your  own 
country.  Once  there  was  no  white  man  in  all  this  country:  then 
it  belonged  to  red  men,  children  of  the  same  parents,  placed  on  it 
by  the  Great  Spirit  to  keep  it,  to  travel  over  it,  to  eat  its  fruits. 
and  fill  it  with  the  same  race — once  a  hapfjy  race,  but  now  madu 


60 


BIOGRAPHY. 


c 


miserable  by  the  white  people,  who  are  never  contcntetl,  but  alw ajs 
encroaching.  They  liave  driven  us  from  the  great  salt  water, 
forced  us  over  the  mountains,  aid  would  shortly  push,  us  into  th  i 
lakes — but  we  an;  determined  to  go  no  farther.  The  only  way  to 
stop  this  evil,  is  for  all  the  red  men  to  uuite  in  claiming  a  common 
and  e(pial  right  in  the  land,  as  it  was  at  first,  and  shonUl  be  now — 
for  it  never  was  divided,  but  belongs  to  all.  No  tribe  has  a  right 
to  sell,  even  to  each  other,  much  less  to  strangers,  who  demand  all, 
and  will  take  no  less.  The  white  people  have  no  right  to  take 
the  land  from  tlie  Indians  who  had  it  first — it  is  theirs.  They  may 
sell,  but  all  must  join.  Any  sale  not  made  by  all,  is  not  good. 
Tlie  late  sale  is  bad — it  was  made  by  a  part  only.  Part  do  not 
know  liow  to  .sell.     It  requires  all  to  make  a  bargain  for  all.' 

"Governor  Harrison,  in  his  reply,  said,  'that  the  white  people, 
when  they  arrived  upon  this  continent,  had  found  the  Miamis  in 
the  occupation  of  all  the  country  of  the  Wabash  ;  and  at  that  time 
the  Shawanese  were  residents  of  Georgia,  from  which  they  were 
driven  by  the  Creeks.  That  the  lands  had  been  purchased  from 
the  Miamis,  who  were  the  true  and  original  owners  of  it.  That 
it  was  ridicnlous  to  assert  that  all  the  Indians  were  one  nation; 
for  if  such  had  been  the  intention  of  tlic  Great  Spirit,  he  would 
not  have  put  six  different  tongues  into  their  heads,  but  would 
have  taught  them  all  to  speak  one  language.  That  the  Miamis 
had  foiuid  it  for  their  interest  to  sell  a  part  of  their  lands,  and 
receive  for  tlicm  a  further  annuity,  in  addition  to  what  they  had 
long  enjoyed,  and  the  benefit  of  which  they  had  experienced,  from 
the  punctuality  with  which  the  seventeen  fires  complied  with  their 
engagements ;  and  that  the  Shawanese  had  no  right  to  come  from 
a  distant  country,  to  control  the  Miamis  in  the  disj)osal  of  their 
own  property.' 

"  The  interpreter  had  scarcely  finished  the  explanation  of  these 
remark.s,  when  Tecumthe  fiercely  exclaimed,  'It  is  false!'  and 
giving  a  signal  to  his  warriors,  they  sprang  upon  their  feet,  from  the 


TENSKWAUTAWAW. 


61 


green  grass  on  which  they  were  sitting,  and  seized  tlicir  war-clubs. 
The  governor,  and  the  small  train  that  surrounded  him,  were  now 
in  imminent  danger.  He  wiis  attended  l)y  a  few  citizens,  wlio 
were  unarmed.  A  military  guard  of  twelve  men,  who  hud  l)een 
stationed  near  him,  and  whose  presence  was  considered  rather  as 
an  honorary  than  a  defensive  measure — being  exposed,  as  it  was 
thought  unnecessarily,  to  the  heat  of  the  sun  in  a  sultry  August 
day,  had  been  humanely  directed  by  the  governor  to  remove  to  a 
.sha<led  spot  at  some  distance.  But  the  governor,  retaining  his 
presence  of  mind,  rose  and  placed  liis  hand  uj)on  his  sword,  at  tiie 
same  time  directing  those  of  his  friends  and  s\ute  who  were  about 
him,  to  stand  upon  their  guard.  Tecumtlie  addressed  the  Indians 
in  a  passionate  tone,  and  with  violent  gesticulations.  Major  G. 
R.  C.  Floyd,  of  the  U.  S.  army,  who  stood  near  the  governor, 
drew  his  dirk;  Winnenvilv,  a  friendly  chief,  cocked  his  pistol,  and 
Mr.  Winans,  a  Methodist  preacher,  ran  to  the  governor's  liouse, 
seized  a  gim,  and  placed  himself  in  the  door  lo  defend  the  family. 
For  a  few  niiunles  all  expected  a  bloody  rencounter.  Tlie  guard 
was  ordered  up,  and  would  instantly  have  fired  upon  the  Indians,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  coolness  of  Governor  Harrison,  who  restrained 
them.  lie  then  calmly,  but  authoritatively,  told  Tccumthe  that 
'  he  was  a  bad  man — that  he  would  have  no  further  talk  with  him — 
that  he  must  now  return  to  his  camp,  and  take  his  departure  from 
tlie  settlements  immediatel}-.'  • 

"  The  next  morning,  Tecumthc  having  reflected  on  the  impro- 
priety of  his  conduct,  and  finding  that  he  liad  to  deal  with  a  man 
as  bold  and  vigilant  as  himself,  who  was  not  to  be  davmted  by  his 
audacious  turl)ulence,  nor  circumvented  by  his  specious  mana'uvres, 
apologized  for  the  afi'ront  he  had  offered,  and  begged  that  tlio 
council  might  be  renewed.  To  this  the  governor  consented,  sup- 
pressing any  feelins;  of  resentment  which  he  might  naturally  have 
felt,  and  determined  to  leave  no  exertion  luitried,  to  carry  into 
efTcct  the  pacific  views  of  the  government.     It  Avas  agreed  that 


68 


BIOGRAPHY. 


eacli  party  should  have  tho  sjimc  allouflaace  as  on  iIk;  previous 
day;  but  the  governor  took  tlio  precaution  to  placo  hinis(\lf'  in  an 
attitude  to  coniniand  respect,  and  to  protect  the  inliahitanis  of 
Vincennes  from  violence,  by  ord(;rinj^  two  companies  of  militia  to 
be  j)laced  on  duty  witliin  the  village. 

"  Tecumthe  presented  himself  witli  the  same  undaunted  bearing 
which  always  marked  him  as  a  superior  man;  but  he  was  now 
dignified  and  collected,  and  showed  no  disposition  to  resume  liis 
former  insolent  deportment.  lie  disclaimed  having  entertained 
any  intention  of  atlarkiiig  the  governor,  but  said  he  had  been 
advised  by  white  men  to  do  as  he  had  done.  Two  white  men — 
Briti.sh  emissaries  undoubtedly — had  visited  him  at  his  place  of 
residence,  and  told  him  that  half  the  white  people  were  opjwsed  to 
the  governor,  and  willing  to  relinquish  the  laud,  and  urged  him  to 
atlvise  the  tribes  not  to  receive  pay  for  it,  alleging  that  the  governor 
would  soon  be  recalled,  and  a  good  man  put  in  his  place,  who 
would  give  up  the  land  to  the  Indians.  The  governor  incpiired 
whether  he  would  forcibly  oppose  the  survey  of  the  purchase.  lie 
replied,  that  he  was  determined  to  adhere  to  the  old  boundary. 
Then  arose  a  Wyandot,  a  Kickapoo,  a  Potawatimie,  an  Ottawa, 
and  a  Winnebago  chief,  each  declaring  his  det(!rmiuation  to  stand 
by  Teonntlie.  The  governor  then  said,  that  the  words  of  Teciunthe 
should  be  reported  to  the  President,  who  would  take  measures  to 
enforce  the  treaty ;  and  the  council  ended. 

"The  governor,  still  anxious  to  conciliate  the  haughty  savage, 
paid  him  a  visit  next  day  at  his  own  camp.  lie  was  received  with 
kindness  and  attention — his  uniform  courtesy  and  inflexible  firm- 
ness having  won  the  respect  of  the  rude  warriors  of  the  forest. 
They  conversed  for  some  time,  but  Tecumthe  obstinately  adhered 
to  all  his  former  positions;  and  when  Governor  Harrison  told  him 
th;it  he  was  sure  the  President  would  not  yield  to  his  pretcmsions, 
the  ch'wX  repHed,  '  Well,  as  the  great  chief  is  to  determine  the 
matter,  I  hope  the  Great  Spirit  will  put  sense  enough  into  his 


TENSKVVAUTAW  Aw- 


es 


head  to  induce  him  to  direct  you  to  i;ivc  up  ihis  land.  It  is  true, 
he  is  so  liU"  olf,  lie,  will  not  bo  iiijurod  by  the  war.  lie  may  Nit 
still  in  Ills  town,  and  drink  his  wine,  while  you  and  I  will  liave 
lo  li<rlit  It  out.'" 

Tiio  two  brothers,  who  thus  aeted  in  coneert,  tli()ii<,di,  perhaps, 
well  fitted  to  act  together,  in  the  pro.secution  of  a  gn^it  plan,  were 
widely  dill'erent  in  character.  Teciiintlie  was  bold  and  sajracious — 
a  successful  warrior,  a  (lueiit  orator,  a  shrewd,  cool-headed,  able 
man,  in  every  situation  in  which  he  was  i)laced.  His  mind  wa.s 
e.vpansive  and  generous.  lie  detested  the  white  man,  but  it  was 
with  a  kind  of  benevolent  hatred,  based  on  an  ardent  love  for  his 
own  race,  and  which  rather  aimed  at  the  elevation  of  the  one  than 
the  destruction  of  the  other.  He  had  sworn  eternal  vengeance 
against  the  enemies  of  his  race,  and  he  held  himself  bound  to 
observe  towards  them  no  courtesy,  to  consent  to  no  measure  of 
conciliation,  until  the  purposes  to  which  he  had  devoted  himself 
should  be  accoiiii)lished.  lie  was  full  of  enthii.siasm,  and  fertile 
of  exiiedient.  Though  his  whole  career  wa.s  one  struggle  against 
adverse  circum.stances,  lie  was  never  discouraged,  but  sustained 
himself  with  a  presence  of  mind,  and  an  eiiuabilit}^  of  temper 
which  showed  the  real  greatness  of  his  character. 

The  following  remarkable  circumstancf^  may  serve  to  illustrate 
the  penetration,  decision,  and  bohlucss  of  this  warrior-chief:  He  had 
been  down  south,  to  Florida,  and  succc'cded  in  instigating  the 
Seininoles  in  particular,  and  jiortions  of  other  tribes,  lo  unite  in 
the  war  on  the  side  of  the  British.  He  gave  out,  that  a  vessel, 
on  a  certain  day,  commanded  by  red  coats,  would  be  off  Florida, 
filled  with  guns  and  ammunition,  and  supplies  for  the  use  of  the 
Indi;iiis.  That  no  mistake  might  hajipen  in  regard  to  the  day  on 
which  the  Indians  were  to  strike,  he  prepared  bundles  of  sticks-- 
each  bundle  containing  the  number  of  sticks  corresponding  to  tin! 
number  of  days  that  were  to  intervene  between  the  day  oii  which 
they  were  received,  and  the  day  of  the  general  onset.     The  Indian 

y 


64 


inoniiAPHY. 


practice  is,  to  Itirow  away  a  stick  every  inoriiiu<j — tlioy  make, 
therefore,  no  mistake  in  the  time.  These  slicks  Tecumtlie  caused 
to  bo  painted  red.  It  was  from  this  circumstanco  that,  in  tim 
former  Seminole  war,  these  Indians  were  called  "  Red  Sticks." 
In  all  this  business  of  musterin<j  tribes,  Tecumtho  used  grout 
caution.  He  supposed  inquiry  would  be  made  :us  to  the  object 
of  his  visit.  That  his  plans  might  not  bo  suspected,  he  directed 
the  Indians  to  reply  to  any  questions  that  might  be  asked  about 
him,  by  saying,  that  he  had  counselled  them  to  cultivate  tiio 
ground,  abstain  from  ardout  spirits,  and  live  in  peace  with  the 
white  people.  On  his  return  from  Florida,  lie  went  among  the 
Creeks,  in  Alabama,  urging  them  to  unite  with  the  Seminoles. 
Arriving  at  Tuckhabatchee,  a  Creek  town  on  the  Tallapoosa  river, 
he  made  his  way  to  the  lodge  of  the  chief  called  the  lilg  Warrior. 
lie  explained  his  object;  delivered  his  war-talk — presented  a  bundle 
of  sticks — gave  a  piece  of  wampum  and  a  war-hatchet;  all  whicli 
the  Dig  Warr'.jr  took.  But  Tecumthe,  reruling  the  spirit  and 
intentions  of  the  Big  Warrior,  looked  h'm  in  the  eye,  and  pointing 
his  finger  towards  his  face,  said, — "  Your  blood  is  white  You 
have  taken  my  talk,  and  the  sticks,  and  the  wampum,  and  the 
hatchet,  but  you  do  not  mean  to  fight.  I  know  the  rea.son.  You 
do  not  believe  the  Great  Spirit  has  sent  me.  You  sliall  know.  I 
leave  Tuckhabatchee  directly — and  shall  go  straight  to  Detroit. 
When  I  arrive  there,  I  will  stamp  on  the  ground  with  my  foot, 
and  shake  down  every  house  in  Tuckhabatchee."  So  saying,  he 
turned,  and  left  the  Big  Warrior  in  utter  amazement,  both  at  his 
manner  and  his  threat,  and  pursued  his  journey.  The  Indians 
were  struck  no  less  with  his  conduct  than  was  the  Big  Warrior, 
and  began  to  drea<l  the  arrival  of  the  day  when  the  threatened 
calamity  would  befall  them.  They  met  often,  and  talked  over  this 
matter — and  counted  the  days  carefully,  to  know  the  day  when 
Tecumthe  would  reach  Detroit.  The  morning  they  haxl  fixed 
upon  as  the  day  of  his  arrival  at  last  came.     A  mighty  rumbling 


TENSKVVAUTAWAW. 


65 


was  heard — the  Indians  all  ran  out.  of  tlioir  houses — the  earth 
began  to  shake ;  when,  at  last,  sure  enough,  every  house  in  Tuck- 
habatchce  was  shaken  down!  The  exclamation  was  in  every 
mouth,  "Tecumthehas  got  to  Detroit!"  The  effect  was  electric. 
The  message  he  had  delivered  to  the  Big  Warrior  was  believed, 
!n)d  many  of  the  Indians  took  their  rifles  and  prepared  for  the  war. 

The  reader  will  not  be  surpri.sed  to  learn  that  an  earthquake  had 
produced  all  this ;  but  ho  will  be,  doubtless,  that  it  should  happen 
on  the  very  day  on  which  Tecumthe  arrived  at  Detroit,  and  in 
exact  fulfdmont  of  his  threat.  It  was  the  famous  eartlifpiako  of 
New  Madrid,  on  the  Mississippi.  We  received  the  foregoing  from 
the  lips  of  the  Indians,  when  we  were  at  Tuckhabatchoc,  in  1827, 
and  near  the  residence  of  the  Big  Warrior.  The  anecdote  may, 
thi  "efore,  be  relied  on.  Tecumthe's  object,  doubtless,  was,  on 
-ppior  that  he  had  failed,  by  the  usual  appeal  to  the  passions,  and 
liopes,  and  war  spirit  of  the  Indians,  to  alarm  their  fears,  little 
dreaming,  himself,  that  on  the  day  named,  his  threat  would  be 
executed  with  such  punctuality  and  terrible  fidelity. 

Tecumthe  was  temperate  in  his  diet,  u.sed  no  ardent  spirits,  and 
did  not  indulge  in  any  kind  of  excess.  Although  several  times 
married,  he  had  but  one  wife  at  a  time,  and  treated  her  with 
uniform  kindness  and  fidelity;  and  he  never  evinced  any  de-sire  to 
accumulate  property,  or  to  gratify  any  sordid  passion.  Colonel 
John  Johnston,  of  Piqua,  who  knew  him  well,  says,  "  He  was 
sober  and  abstemious ;  never  indulging  in  the  use  of  liquors,  nor 
catering  to  excess;  fluent  in  conversation,  and  a  great  public 
speaker.  He  despised  dress,  and  all  effeminacy  of  manners;  he 
wa.s  disinterested,  hospitable,  generous,  and  humane — the  resolute 
and  indefatigable  advocate  of  the  rights  and  independence  of  tho 
Indians."  Stephen  T^uddle,  a  Kentuckian,  who  was  captured  by 
the  Indians  in  childhood,  and  lived  in  the  family  of  Tecumthe, 
says  of  him,  "Ilis  talents,  rectitude  of  deportment,  and  friendly 
dispo.sition,  commanded  the  respect  and  regard  of  all  about  him ;" 


66 


BIOGRAPHY. 


and  Governor  Cass,  in  speaking  of  liis  oratory,  says,  "It  was  the 
utterance  of  a  groat  mind,  roused  by  the  strongest  motives  of  which 
human  nature  is  susceptilih',  and  developing  a  power  and  a  labor 
of  reason  wliiih  commanded  the  admiration  of  tbe  civilized,  aj 
justly  as  the  confidence  an  :  pride  of  the  savage." 

The  Prophet  possessed  neither  the  tsdents  nor  the  frankness  of 
his  brother.  As  a  speaker,  he  was  fluent,  smooth,  and  [)lausible, 
and  was  pronounced  by  Governor  Harrison  the  most  graceful  and 
acconi pi islied  orator  he  had  seen  among  the  Indians;  l)ut  he  was 
sensual,  cruel,  weak,  and  timid.  Availing  himself  of  the  .super- 
stitious awe  inspired  by  supposed  intercourse  with  the  Great  Spirit, 
h(!  lived  in  idleness,  snpported  by  the  presents  brougiit  him  by 
his  deluded  tiillowers.  The  Indians  allow  polygamy,  but  deem  it 
highly  disi-redilable  in  any  one  to  marry  mons  wives  than  he  can 
support ;  and  a  prudent  warrior  always  regulates  tla;  luunlier  of 
liis  family  l)y  his  capacity  to  provide  foinl.  Neglecting  this  rule 
of  propriety,  the  Pro|»het  had  an  unusual  numlu'r  of  wives,  while 
ne  uuidv,  no  ellort  to  procure  a  support  for  his  household,  and 
meaidy  exacted  a  subsistence  froi'i  those  who  dreaded  his  dis- 
pli'iisure.  An  impostor  in  every  thing,  he  seems  to  have  exhibited 
neitiier  honesty  nor  dignity  of  cliaracter  in  any  relation  of  life. 

AVe  have  not  room  to  detail  all  the  political  and  military  events 
in  which  these  brothers  were  engaged,  and  which  have  bi-on 
relate  I  in  the  histories  of  the  times.  An  account  of  the  battle  of 
Tippecanoe,  which  took  place  in  1^11,  and  of  the  intrigues  which 
led  to  an  enga'jrement  so  honorable  to  our  arms,  would  alone  till  more 
space  than  is  allotted  to  this  artich".  Dn  the  part  of  the  Indians 
it  was  a  licrce  and  des[)erate  assault,  and  the  deience  of  the 
Aii'criean  general  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  successful  in  the 
annals  of  Indian  warfare;  but  Tecumthe  was  not  engaged  in  it, 
ami  the  Propla't,  who  issued  orders  from  a  safe  position,  beyond  the 
reach  of  any  chance  of  personal  exposure,  performed  no  part  lioisor- 
nble  to  iiiinself,  or  iin|K)rtunt  to  the  result,     lie  ialded  cowardice  to 


TENSKWAUTAWAW. 


67 


the  (le<Tra(ling  traits  wliiili  liiul  already  (listiii<fuislicd  his  character, 
and  from  that  time  iiis  iiilluciice  decreased.  At  tlie  close  of  the 
war,  in  1S14,  he  had  ceased  to  liave  any  rcpviUition  among  the 
Indians. 

The  latlor  i)art  of  the  career  of  Tecunithe  was  as  brilliant  as  it 
was  unfortunate.  lie  susUiined  his  high  reputation  for  talent, 
courage,  and  g<xxl  faitli,  without  achieving  any  advantage  for  the 
unhai)py  race  io  whose  advancement  he  had  devoted  his  whole 
life.  In  the  war  lx;twccn  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain, 
which  commenced  in  lsl'2,  he  was  an  active  ally  of  the  latter,  and 
accompanied  their  armies  at  the  head  of  large  bodios  of  Indians. 
He  fought  gallantly  in  several  engagements,  and  fell  gloriou.sly  in 
the  battle  of  the  Thames,  where  Ik;  i.  sup|)os(",l,  with  reason,  to 
have  fallen  in  a  p(!rsonal  condiil  with  Colonel  Ilichard  M.  Johnsoi\, 
of  Kentucky. 

One  other  Irait  in  tlie  character  of  this  great  man  deserves  to  be 
especially  noticed.  Thougli  nurtured  in  tlie  forest,  and  accustomed 
through  life  to  scenes  of  bloodshed,  he  was  humane.  While  a 
mere  boy,  he  courageously  rescutil  a  Moman  from  the  cruelty  of 
her  hus1>and,  who  was  heating  her,  and  declared  that  no  man  was 
worthy  of  the  name  of  a  warrior  who  could  raise  his  hand  in  anger 
against  a  woman.  He  treated  liis  prisoners  with  uniform  kindness; 
and,  on  several  occasions,  rescued  our  countrymen  from  the  hands 
of  his  enraged  followers. 

'I'he  l'ro[)liet  was  living,  when  we  last  heard  of  him,  west  of  th< 
Mi.s.sissippi,  in  obscurity. 


YOIIOLO    MICCO. 


YoHOLo  Micco  was  principal  chief  of  the  Eufalo  town,  which 
hes  between  Tallassee  and  OakuiKkee,  in  the  Creek  nation,  the 
Talhipoosa  river  running  through  it.  In  the  war  of  1813-14, 
he  served  with  Mcintosh  against  the  hostile  Indians,  and  shared 
largely  and  honorably  in  all  the  battles  that  were  fought.  His 
bravery  was  equalled  only  by  his  eloquence,  which  gained  him 
great  distinction.  He  was  the  speaker  of  the  Creek  nation,  as 
Opothlc  Yoholo  was  of  the  division  called  the  Upper  towns,  and 
opened  the  councils  on  all  occasions. 

At  the  council  called  in  lb27,  by  the  Little  Prince,  to  receive 
the  propositions  offered  by  the  government  through  Colonel 
M'Kcnney,  which  we  have  noticed  in  another  place,  Yoholo  Micco 
explained  the  object  of  the  mission,  in  a  manner  so  clear  and 
pointed  as  not  to  be  easily  forgotten  by  those  who  heard  him.  lie 
rose  with  the  unonibarra,«scd  dignity  of  one  who,  while  he  felt  the 
responsiliility  of  his  high  ofiice,  was  familiarly  versed  in  its  duti(!s, 
and  satisfied  of  his  own  ability  to  discharge  it  with  success.  He 
was  not  unaware  of  the  delicacy  of  the  sul)ject,  nor  of  the  excital)le 
state  of  the  minds  to  which  his  argument  was  to  l)c  addressed,  and 
'lis  harangue  was  artfully  suited  to  the  occasion.  With  the  pcr- 
Mia-Mvc  manner  of  an  accomplished  orator,  and  in  tin-  silver  tones 
jf  a  most  flexible  voice,  he  placed  the  siibject  before  his  savage 
audience  in  all  its  details  and  bearings — making  his  several  points 
vvitli  clearness  and  in  order,  and  drjiwing  out  his  deductions  in 
the  lucid  and  conclusive  manner  of  a  finished  rhetorician. 

The  deportment  of  this  chief  was  mild,  his  disposition  sincere 

(r,y) 


70 


BIOGRAPHY. 


and  generous.  ITc  advocated  varmly  the  principles  and  practices 
of  civilized  life,  and  took  so  decided  a  part  in  favor  of  tlic  plans  to 
improve  the  condition  of  his  pe()[)li',  proposed  by  the  American 
ffoverninent,  and  hy  individuals,  that  lit  becauK.  unpopular,  and 
lost  his  place  and  induencc  in  the  ireneral  council,  and  tlic  diicf- 
taincy  of  his  tribe.  His  successor  as  principal  chief  of  the  Eufola 
town  is  Oclearchc  Micco. 

Yoholo  Micco  was  amiable  in  his  family  relations,  and  brou;rht 
up  his  children  with  care,  giving  them  the  best  a<lvaiitages  in 
jioinl  of  education,  which  the  country  alforded.  His  sons  were 
bred  to  the  pursuits  of  civilized  men.  One  of  his  daughters, 
named  Lotti  Yoholo,  married  a  chief  of  the  Eufalo  town,  and, 
following  the  example  ui"  her  father,  gave  her  children  liberal 
educations. 

This  chief  visited  Wa.shington  in  l'^2r),  as  one  of  the  delegates 
from  his  nation.  He  afterwards  consented  to  remove  to  Arkansas, 
and  fell  a  victim  to  the  fatigues  attending  the  emigration,  in  his 
fiftieth  year,  while  on  his  vay  to  the  land  of  promise.  His  memory 
is  honored  by  the  Indians,  who,  in  common  with  all  who  knew  this 
e.vccUent  person,  speak  of  him  as  one  of  the  best  of  men. 

The  word  Micco  signifies  king  or  chief,  and  will  be  found 
forming  a  part  of  the  names  of  many  of  the  southern  chiefs,  while 
Yoholo,  which  signilies  the  possession  of  ro3al  blooii,  is  an  aristo- 
cratic adjunct  to  the  names  of  those  who  are  well  descended. 


MisTirrKE. 


This  is  a  son  of  Yoliolo  Micoo,  wlio  boars  a  name,  the  origin  of 
wliicli  woukl  be  discnvi'rt'd  witli  (Jillicnltj  by  llic  most  cunning 
etv  luologist ;  and  wo  aro  bajipy  to  have  it  in  onr  power  to  solve  a 
proljlcni,  wliich  niiglit  else,  at  some  far  distant  day,  eause  an 
infinite  waste  of  valuable  time  and  curious  learning.  The  parents 
of  this  youth,  having  decided  on  roaring  him  after  the  fashions  of 
their  white  neighliors,  bestowed  upon  him  the  very  ancient  and 
respectable  appellation  of  Benjamin,  from  which  soon  arose  the 
usual  abbreviation  of  Ben  and  Benny,  whith  tlu;  young  chief  bore 
during  the  halcyon  days  of  infancy.  To  this  familiar  name, 
respet't  for  his  family  soon  prctixed  the  title  of  Mr.;  and,  in  the 
mouths  of  the  Indians,  Mr.  Ben  soon  became  Mistiben,  and  linally 
Mi.stippee — the  original  Benjamin  being  lo.st  in  the  superior 
I  upliony  of  that  very  harmonious  word  mialci: 

ll  is  not  improbable  that  the  iiuhvidual  who  bore  this  name 
when  his  poiti'ait  was  taken,  m;iv  now  be  knnun  bv  aniither,  for, 
as  we  have  remarked  elsewhere,  these  designations  are  frotpiontly 
changed  ;  and  an  Indian  has  usually  as  many  names  as  there  are 
remarkable  events  in  his  history.  Tiiosc  wliich  they  receive  in 
inliincy  are  entirely  ai cidental,  or  are  induced  by  the  most  trilling 
circumstances.  I.itkir  the  Swift,  is  the  name  of  an  active  boy; 
but  if  a  child  is  callc(.  hcii,  the  (irouiid  llog,  or  Woodroovhtr, 
tiie  Raccoon,  it  is  in  I  to  b(^  presumed  that  ho  resembles  tlial 
animal ;  becausi>  he  would  be  as  likely  to  receive  it  from  the  meri! 
circninstance  of  being  seen  to  jilay  with  the  animal,  or  to  wear  its 


10 


(71) 


78 


BIOGRAPHY. 


skin,  or  to  iiiiitaU-  some  of  its  iiidtidus.  On  tiic  otlicr  liuiul, 
Mincchcc,  which  siifiiilies  little,  smart  and  active,  is  tiic  approjiriato 
name  of  a  fi'iiiale  child.  These  names  are  retained  duriiitj  child- 
hood, and  until  the  youthful  character  begins  to  .show  its  bias, 
when  others  are  given  which  are  supposed  to  he  more  descriptive; 
and  we  Ijelieve  it  is  always  usual,  when  a  young  man  is  aihnilted 
into  the  war  councils,  to  give  him  a  name  with  relerence  to  his 
(jualifications  as  a  warrior.  For  instance,  a  youth  wiio  is  modest 
and  retiring  may  be  called  Chojixico,  which  would  be  interpreted, 
"timid  as  the  deer;"  yet  the  s  ord  is  a  com[>ound  used  chiilly  as 
a  jjropcr  name.  Clio  is  an  abbreviation  of  echo,  a  deer— y/.c  is 
abbreviated  hmw  J'lgcr,  whi.ii  means  life  or  spirit — and  ivo  is  a 
contraction  of  sicco,  gone — IVoiii  all  which  we  get  the  very  poetical 
compound  above  mentioned.  A  bold  and  fearless  spirit  is  called 
Yithn  Ifiii/Jo,  the  Crazy  Wolf,  from  j/ii/ia,  a  wolt',  ami  hndjo,  crazy. 
Another  class  of  names  are  given  still  later  in  life,  and  are  sucli 
as  refer  to  some  exploit  or  adventure  by  which  the  individual 
became  distinguished  for  the  time,  as,  "  7/r  tilio  xtmnLs  and  i,lrikcs," 
"lie  ivfiojig/ils  as  he  /lies,"  or  "  T/ic  wolf  killer." 

Mistippee  escaped  having  the  name  of  an  animal  conferred  upon 
him,  in  tlie  manner  we  have  seen,  but  spent  his  boyhood,  as  is  usual 
with  the  Indian  children,  in  practising  witii  the  blow-g\ui  and 
bow,  and  in  hunting  the  smaller  kinds  of  game.  The  blow-gun 
is  a  favorite  weapon  among  the  boys  of  the  southern  tribes.  It 
is  simply  a  hollow  reed  of  eight  or  ten  feet  in  Icngtli,  made  ]ier- 
fectly  smooth  within,  iVom  which  a  small  arrow  is  blown  with 
much  ic.rce  by  the  breath.  The  arrow  is  made  of  light  wood, 
armed  with  a  pin,  or  small  nail,  at  one  end,  and  with  thistle  down 
oarefullv  wrapped  round  the  other,  in  a  sidru-ient  (piantity  to  fill 
the  reed,  so  that,  when  pla<'ed  in  the  end  to  which  the  mouth  is 
applied,  it  is  forced  tlu-ouirh  the  reed  with  great  swiltness,  and, 
if  well  dircctiMJ,  with  tlie  certainty  of  the  ride  ball.     At  a  distance 


IM  1 S  I'  I P  P  f:  K 


73 


of  tfii  y.'inls,  tlio  little  Crooks  will  smilT  a  ciiiKlIts  wiili  ono  nt" 
tlit'se  arrows,  four  tim(>s  out  of  llvo;  and  as  no  noise  attends  tiio 
(liscliarj^e,  they  arc  (luito  siiecessfiil  in  killinir  small  birds  l)y  means 
of  this  simple  contrivance,  which  is  called,  in  the  Creek  tongne, 
Culimnotchrr.  By  tlicse  exercises  the  3'onn<r  Indians  not  onlv 
develop  tlieir  physical  powers,  but  ac(iun-(!  the  cunning,  the 
patience,  the  dexterity,  and  the  fund  of  sylvan  knowledge  that 
render  them  tiiC!  most  accomplished  hunters  in  the  world.  11  one 
of  these  boys  chances  to  kill  a  deer  w  ith  a  bow  and  arrow,  or  to 
ju'rform  any  exploit  above  his  years,  he  is  marked  as  having  a 
spirit  which  will  greatly  distinguish  him  in  after  life,  or  as  being 
a  lucky  person,  which,  in  the  estimation  of  the  Indian,  amoimts 
to  about  the  same  thing  as  tla^  possession  of  superior  abilities. 

In  presenting  the  spirit(Hl  likenesf*  of  this  youth,  we  may  be 
permitted  to  take  the  occasion  to  repeat  some  of  the  lessons  w  hich 
arc  taught  the  young  Indian,  and  contribute  to  form  his  character. 
Among  tlie.se  is  the  tradition  of  their  origin,  which  is  in.stdlcd 
into  the  infant  mind  of  the  .savage,  with  a  care  similar  to  that 
bestowed  by  Christian  parents  in  teaching  the  gre;it  truths  of 
Creation  and  Providence.  rcrhaj)s  the  curiosity  of  a  clnld  in 
relation  to  its  own  being  would  have  a  natural  and  universal 
tendency  to  render  this  a  iirst  lesson  ;  and  the  suiiject  whii'li,  aliove 
almost  all  others,  is  veiled  in  obsciu'ity,  is  that  which  is  attempted 
to  be  explained  to  the  young  mind  in  the  earliest  stage  of  its 
development.  The  tradition  ol  the  Creeks  is,  that  they  came 
through  the  sea,  from  Rome  distant  land.  To  enable  them  to  pass 
through  the  deep  waters  with  greater  safety  and  certainty,  they 
were  transformed  into  brutes;  and  the  nation  is  now  ilividcd  inui 
separate  band.s,  which  retain  the  names  of  the  dilferent  animals  from 
which  they  are  said  to  be  descendt  d.  Our  informntion,  w  ith  regard 
to  the  means  used  to  perpetuate  this  arrangement,  agrees  with  that 
of  .Mr.  (jall.itin,  who  remarks,  "It  has  been  fully  ascertained   thai 


mistippep:. 


75 


ai.d  tlio  viirit'ty  of  iiukIcs  in  wliidi  it  iniiy  lio  uscil,  uiviiin'  it  ;i 
profciTuco  over  ovcry  otlior  tlfscriptioii  of  irmiii.  Anioii'^  ijio 
Indians  wlio  iMiltivntc  liltlc,  else,  llic  ripcniii'^  of  this  cntp  consti- 
liitcs  an  era  n  tlio  year.  Tlu;  wliolt;  Imnil  is  assLMnhlrd  to 
cclcliratd  tilt!  aniiuid  festival.  TIk;  fires  of  tlio  past  \ear  aio 
e.\-tiiiL,niislied — not  a  s[iark  is  snllered  to  remain.  New  fire  is 
|iriHliieed  artilicially,  usually  hy  rul)i)iiii|  two  .stieks  toyctlier. 
Sometimes  tlie  new  lire  tlms  obtained,  is  sent  from  one  liand  to 
another,  and  the  present  is  received,  like  the  New  Year's  gift 
amoiiLT  ourselves,  as  a  token  of  friendship.  Having'  kindled  a 
elieerfiil  hla/e,  tliey  as.semble  around  it,  danciii'/,  and  siiiyin<r  .songs. 
'I'll  •  latter  are  addres.sed  to  the  fire — a  custom  wliii  h  may  have 
been  borrowed  from  the  worship  of  the  sun,  said  to  iiave  been 
practised  by  the  Nachez  Indians.  In  these  songs  they  express 
their  gratitude  to  the  Great  Spirit  that  they  have  lived  through 
the  year;  that  they  see  tlu;  same  faeces  and  hear  the  same  voices; 
they  speak  of  the  game  they  have  taken,  and  of  tlie  aljiiiidance  of 
their  erop.s.  But  if  the  crop  be  short,  or  the  hand  of  death  has 
lieen  busy  among  tlieni,  the  notes  of  gratulation  are  nuiiuled  with 
stniins  of  mourning,  the;  national  calamity  is  attributed  to  iIk; 
crimes  of  the  people,  and  pity  and  pardon  are  invoked.  On  this 
occasion  tliev  partake  of  tlie  black  drink,  which  we  have  descrilied 
in  our  sketch  of  the  life  of  Opotlih;  "N'oholo.  The  dance  being 
linished,  they  feast  upon  boiled  corn,  the  lirst  fruits  of  the  year; 
and  the.  singing,  dancing,  and  eating  are  kept  up  for  several  days. 
Should  a  culprit,  whose  life  lia.s  been  forfeitexl,  have  escaped 
punishment  until  this  festive  season,  and  be  so  fortunate  or  so 
dexterous  as  to  make  his  way  into  the  sipiare  during  the  dance, 
he  is  considered  as  being  luider  ll'c  protection  of  the  Cre;it  Spirit, 
to  whose  agency  they  attribute  tlie  circumstances  of  his  previous 
escape  and  present  appeara'ice  among  them,  and  his  pardon  is 
secured. 


70 


BIOl.RAPIIY. 


Of  Mistippccj  tlioro  is  lilllf  to  tell.  W'hm  al  \Vasliiiit,Mnn,  in 
IS'iO,  lio  was  a  rciriarkaldy  haiidsomo  boy,  and  in  all  respects 
nrenosscssiiii;.  His  fallicr  ffavc  liiiii  unusual  iulvaulancs  in  rcifanl 
to  education,  which  he  is  sni)iiosc<l  to  have  imiirovcd.  AVhen  at 
maturity  he  wedded  a  comely  woman  of  t!ie  llillal)e(!  towns,  and 
soon  after  emi-rrated  to  the  new  home  provided  for  his  people,  west 
of  the  Mississippi. 


NEAMATIILA. 


The  war  V)otwooii  tlio  Unitoil  States  and  the  Florida  Indians 
having  givcMi  an  increased  interest  to  the  iiistory  of  thiis««  trihes, 
wo  propose  to  treat  that  [inrtinn  of  our  siihject  with  some  (h'grce 
of  minuteness,  shoidd  wo  su<'cr  ■(!  in  proeurinir  tlie  re(|uisito 
materials.  Our  information  in  regard  to  tiiein  is  not  siillicientlv 
prcicise  to  enuhle  us  to  attempt  tliis  at  present,  and  in  presentini; 
the  valuahle,  portrait  whioii  accompanies  this  sketch,  wo  shall 
coiifiuo  ourselves  to  a  few  general  remarks. 

The  Spani.sh  concjuerors  and  discoverers,  if  wo  may  place  any 
confiih-nce  in  their  reports,  encountered  mimerous  and  warlike 
trilx's  in  the  re^noiis  which  they  were  plea.sed  to  tlescril)e  as  the 
land  of  tlowers;  hut  they  may  have  indulged  in  the  poetic  license 
as  greatly  in  regard  to  the  uuiiiImt  of  inhabitants  as  in  refrrenco 
to  the  luxuries  of  tho  soil  and  climate.  It  is  cert^iin  that  hut  few 
of  the  ancient  inhahit:uits  remain;  and  these  are  divided  into 
small  hordes,  who  neitlier  exhibit  the  appearance  nor  retain  the 
recollection  of  any  former  ureatness.  A  new  people  has  been 
added  to  them,  who  now  tonn  tlie  great  majority  of  the  savage 
population  of  tliat  country,  and  whose  character  has  become 
ini|)res.sed  upon  the  whole  ina.ss. 

'I'lie  Seminoles,  or  Uunawavs,  an!  descended  from  the  Creeks 
and  C'hcrokees,  and  perha|)s  from  otiier  of  the  southern  tribes,  and 
derive  their  name  from  the  manner  of  their  separation  trom  tho 
origiiwl  stocks.  \\  iiile  Florida  belonged  to  Spain  it  afforded  a 
l)lace  of  refuge  for  tho  discontented  individuals  belongiiiii  to  tho 
trilK's  within   th<;   United    States,  its  well   as   for   fugitive  \egro 

(77) 


78 


BIOORAPIIY. 


slaves;  and  (if  lliis  mixed  popiiliitioii  were  roriiied  llic  various  trik'S 
now  kiinuii  iimlcr  tlu^  ('(iiiiiikhi  name!  of  ISoininoles.  I'rom  tlio 
swamps  and  hamiiioi'ks  of  Florida,  lliey  liavc  been  in  llio  haliit  of 
aiiiioviiiLT  l!ie  frontiers  of  llie  adjacent  states,  and  these  injuries 
liave  lieen  rendered  the  more  j^'alhn^  hy  llio  protection  alforded 
hy  tiiose  sava'^es  to  runaway  slaves,  and  hy  the  ferocities  practised 
hy  tho  hitter  iimler  the  inlhu-nce  of  revenge  and  tia^  fear  of  recap- 
ture. It  is  not  to  be  denied,  nor  is  it  surjjrising,  that  these  Indinns 
have,  inider  such  circumstances,  sulfered  much  injustice,  for  tlie 
spirit  of  retaliation  is  never  limited  hy  moderation;  and  it  uas 
a  wise  as  well  as  a  humane  policy  of  tlu;  government  mImcIi 
decreed  tlu'  separation  of  tlu-  exasperated  |)arlies,  hy  the  removal 
of  llie  Seininiiles  1o  a  territory  more  distant  from  the  white 
settlements.  Nor  could  the  former,  with  any  propriety,  plead  the 
territorial  riiihts  ami  local  attachments  so  strongly  urged  hy  their 
])arent  nations;  for  they  wen;  mere  intruders,  or  at  he.sl  but 
recent  inhahitunls,  of  tho  lands  from  which  it  was  proposed  to 
remove  them. 

Neamathla,  who  has  been  one  of  the  most  di.stinguished  of  the 
Seminoles,  and  was  !it  one  time  their  head  man,  or  prini'ipal  chief, 
was  bv  birlli  a  Creek.  At  what  time  he  emigrated  to  Florida,  or 
bv  what  iiradations  he  rose  to  authority,  we  are  not  well  informed, 
and  as  we  propose  to  make  these  sketches  strictly  authentic  as  far 
!is  thev  go,  we  pass  over  those  details  that  have  reached  us  with 
no  better  cvi<lence  than  mere  rumor.  Mr.  Duval,  governor  of 
Florida,  in  a  (lesp;itch  to  tlie  government  at  Wa.^^hington,  dated  in 
March,  IvJl,  describes  him  as  a  man  of  unconunon  abilities,  t)f 
great  influence  with  his  nation,  and  as  one  of  the  most  elo(|uent 
men  he  ever  heanl.  At  a  subsecivicnt  date  in  the  same  year,  he 
writes  thus:  "Neamathla  is  a  mo.si,  uncommon  man,  and  ought  to 
be  induced  to  remove  with  his  people.  This  chief  you  will  find 
periiaps  the  greatest  man  you  have  ev(  r  .'^ten  among  the  Indians: 
h«  can  control  his  warriors  with  as  much  ease  as  a  colonel  could 


NKAM  \  rilLA. 


7'J 


.1  r^•^'ilnollt  of  n'^jiilur  soldiors."  Ajraiii,  we  liiul  tlic  liospitiility  and 
iii;iiily  fci'liiitfs  (if  this  chief,  and  his  fffcat  cncr^'y  of  cliiinirlcr,  sp  iktn 
of  ill  terms  (if  liif^h  respect.  ^\  luii  tlieso  opinions  were  (xpiissed, 
hopes  were  entertained  that  Neamatlihi  ronld  bo  iiuhiecd  to  second 
the  views  of  the  American  jrovernment  in  rej^ard  to  the  removal  of 
th(!  Seminoh's  to  llie  liind  appropriated  to  litem  west  of  Arkansas; 
hnt  in  tlu!  snminer  of  tliat  year  it  was  found  tliat,  instead  of  j)rt)- 
niotinir  that  desiraltlo  moiisure,  he  was  cxortinif  liis  inlhiencc  to  defeat 
it,  and  Governor  Duval  deposed  him  from  the  .chieftaincy.  'I'his 
is  a  cnrioiis  instance  of  tiie  anomalous  cliaracter  of  th(^  relation 
existiniT  l)etweeii  our  government  and  the  Indians;  for,  while  the 
latter  are  for  many  pnr|ioses  considered  as  iiidepenilent  nations,  and 
are  treated  with  as  such,  they  are  in  all  essential  respects  reifarded 
and  |roverned  as  suhjects,  and  the  government  has,  on  several 
occasions,  sanctioned  the  creation  and  reiiidval  of  chiefs. 

There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  tlu;  relnctance  of  Neamalhia 
to  remove  from  Florida  was  the  result  of  a  natural  attention  to  his 
own  intcrt'st.  Uy  a  previous  treaty,  the  United  States,  with  a  view 
to  conciliate  this  res[)ectable  chief,  now  advanced  in  years,  set  apart 
for  his  private  use  a  tract  of  land,  remote  from  the  residence  of  the. 
main  Inxly  of  the  nation.  The  tenure  of  such  reservations  is  that 
of  occupancy  oidy,  and  as  Neamathia  could  not  sell  the  land,  he 
of  course  desired  to  enjoy  its  use,  and  ^vas  unu  illiny  to  remove  to 
a  distant  wilderness.  In  another  view  of  tht;  sul)ject,  the  hherality 
of  the  government  to  this  cliief  proved  injurious,  as  it  gave  him  a 
homo  remote  from  the  village's  of  his  people,  among  whom  his 
inlluonce  was  uid)ounded,  and  left  tliein  exi)osed  to  the  intri<,na's 
of  the  mercenary  individuals  whoso  interest  it  was  to  promote 
dissension.  That  Neamathia  desired  to  he  at  peace  with  the 
United  States,  was  ajiparent  iVom  the  w  hole  tenor  of  his  conduct, 
since  the  war  which  closed  in  1815.  lie  had  maintained  a  strict 
discipline  in  his  tribe,  punishing  the  ollences  of  his  people, 
espei'ially  those  committed  ai^miiist  the  whites,  with  uncompromising 
11 


80 


IJKXiUAPIIY. 


severity.  Ilis  ipcoplf  fcart'd,  while  llicy  Invid  ami  rcspeeted  liiiu. 
'Tin'  niiidval  of  smli  a  man  iVniii  aiimiii.'  llnia  was  iiijudieioiis. 
It  was  |ir()|H>s('(l,  tlicri'lorc,  to  penult  him  to  sell  his  reservation, 
i.dilrr  '  le  (  xpeelatiuu  that  lu^  would  ('(uncrl  the  jiroeeeds  into 
eallle  and  horses,  and  be  williu;,'  to  remove  with  his  luojile  to  the 
fertile  lauds  provided  lor  theui.  The  arrauyemeut  was,  however, 
not  elFeeted  ;  and  the  iullueiice  i  "  Neamatiila  heiui;  used  iu  opp.)- 
sitiou  to  lii(  views  of  the  j^ovcruniei;;,  aud  of  that  which  was 
esteemed  the  hest  interests  of  the  Seminoles,  he  was  deposed,  upon 
whieh  he  aiiaudoned  the  Seminoles  and  retiu'ued  to  the  Creek 
nation.  'I  lial  ho  was  well  received  l>y  the  ('reeks,  and  reeoL'ni/.ed 
as  a  per.son  of  eonsideratinn,  appear.-;  from  the  fact,  that  wiicn  Colonel 
M'Keniu'V,  !is  I  iiitt'd  States  commissioner,  asscndiieil  the  (Jreeks 
in  'general  council  at  'ruckhahatchee,  in  l''-7,  to  settle  the  eon- 
troversv  at  that  time  |j;oinu-  on  lietwccn  the  I'niled  States  Mid 
( Jeor^na,  anil  the  Creek  nation,  Ncamathla,  took  his  seat  umoM<r 
the  ])rincipid  men  in  the  council,  and  gave  prujf  of  exercising 
consideralile  iiillinnce  in  tlieir  dclilieralions. 

We  have  ri>  ivcd  from  an  authentic  source  an  auecdot*.)  of  this 
chief,  whicli  i-  hiuldy  characteristic  of  his  race,  and  cxhihits  a 
remarliJilile  coincidence  in  the  opinio'is  of  Neamalhla  with  those 
of  other  ;:!stini_nii^hed  Indians.  Pontiac,  l{ed  Jack(>t,  Little  Turtle, 
Tecumthe,  aud  a  few  other  of  th(!  ma.ster  spirits  annmg  the  red 
men,  uniformly  oppcsed  all  attempts  to  introduce  the  civilization 
and  arts  of  the  Euro|)ean  race  amoULr  the  Indians,  luider  tiio 
])lausii)l(;  aruument  that  the  Great  Sjiirit  had  created  the  sevehd 
races  for  diHcrent  purposes,  and  had  given  to  each  the  arts  pr.iper 
to  its  destination.  These  sagacious  men  saw  tliat  as  tlie  Indians 
adopted  the  hahits  of  %\hile  men,  they  acipiired  new  wants, 
whieh  coidd  only  he  supplied  hy  an  intercourse  v.ith  civili/.ed 
people,  upon  whom  they  thus  became  depeiwlent.  Tlu^y  felt  tliat 
they  wore  the  weaker  i)arty  in  numi)er,  and  the  inferior  in 
ingenuity;  and  as  tiiey  knew  of  no  contact  between  nations  but 


N  KAMA  rill.. \, 


HI 


lliat   ill  wliicli  one  nmst   <f!iiii  ;i1   tlu-  cxiicmm'   nl    llic  dtlicr,  Ihcv 
liclicvi'il  tli:it  all  iiilfrroiirsi"  Ix'Ixmm'ii  ihc  wliitc  ami    ii'd    races  iiiii.sl 


liii'l   to   tlic  (lisaiUaiitiL^c  of  llic  latter.  'I'lien'  can   lie   no  (|ii('s1i()n 

a";  to  tiie   correctness  ot   tliis   reasnnin'j,  nor  aiiv       .[\i\    tlial  evcrv 

iidviiiice  iiiaile  iiy  tl-e    ludians  lowanis  ci\ili/atioii,  ((intril)nt('s  to 

destroy   llu'ir  ihde]M'iideiice.      WC   may  tliiuk    tli  it   tiiev  would  Ik« 


Itcttcr  oil"  witlioiit    sncli   savaLic    Ircedoii 


I,  and   in   the  iiiiovnient  o 


lli(i    coMin)rt.s   that    we    possess ;    hut    tlipv  reason    dillererith .   and 
while  tliev  arhnit    tlie   adNanta'jes  ol    onr   I'ondition,    they    are    not 


will 


lliir  to  iiurcliase  them  a 


t    t|. 


!'\| 


e  cMiensi 


nl'  their  national  iiitru;rilv 


TlnMr  most  sJj<raeions  men  have,  theretiire,  always  viewed  with 
ji'alousv  our  attenijtts  lo  introdnce  onr  relii^ion  and  onr  arts  ainonu; 
tiiem.  and  hive  ever  eonsidered  the  arms  of  the  white  man  far 
less  daniT^To'i.*    to    their  evisteiiee  as   a   separate    [ieo|ile   tlian    tl 


10 


■du(r:it 
Bv    tl 


i<>n    liv  w 


hieh 


I   we  wiiidd   win  tlieni  nxer  to  onr  eiistoii 


le    sivlli    arti. 


tlie    treat  V  of   Moultrie    Crei  k,  in    tiio 


lerritorv  of  I'lorida,  coiicliided  N-ptemher  '""th,  !•>•,':{,  it  was  pro- 
Miled,  amonir  other  tliinus.  that  the  stun  of  one  thonsand  <lollars 
per  aniMim.    Ii>r    twcntv   y<ar;.   .-lionld    lie  applied   liy  the   I'nited 


Wales   to   th 


('   sniiiio 


rt   of 


•h 


at    the  I'lorida   aijfeni'\'.  i'or   the 


I'dni'ation  nl'  t'le  children  of  the   Indians 


In   c;irrvinu;    tl 


nro- 


VISlOl 


IS    ot'    the    tri'ilv    into    elVect,    tlie     <'onMni>sii 


ner    t< 


ln>l 


lan 


alFairs  at  Washington  received  no  information  liir  some  tunc 
fonchinu  that  one  for  the  estahlishment  of  the  sdiool.  anil  sn[i- 
pos('(l  it  to  liJive  heen  overliMiked,  when  on  inijuiry  it  .vas  found 
that  the  Indians  declined  receivinLj  it.  The  delii'ate  ollice  of 
I'oinmunicatini.''  this  de<Msion  In  the  uo\i  I'uor  of  I'loriiLi.  was 
eonlided   to   \eaniathla.  or  assumed    hv    hiin   as   the   liea<l    man  ol 

le  of 


th 


"cnnnoles. 


The    Indians    are    ci-renionious    in    th(! 


mo< 


con< 


luct 


in'j:   then"    nuliln 


dl'iirs,  and  in  refusiuL^  to  receivi  the 
eiiM'rnini  nt,  the  ehiiT  di'livered  his 
rcriKons  at  len'.,'th  in  a  speech,  of  which  the  followinir  is  a  trans 
lation 


prnlFereil    hhi-nditv  of  th 


8S 


liloCIt  AIMI  Y. 


"My  fnlliiM",  \v"<'  liavo  IIs1(mii'i1  to  iIk'  incssa^o  ol'  (nir  (ircul 
Fatlicr  at  \\'a>liiiiLitiMi,  wKo  lias  lakcii  pity  on  liis  red  cliildri'ii. 
ami  wdiilil  tcai'li  lis  to  speak  (ui  jiajior  like  the  cliildren  ol'  tl.u 
wlii'f  Dii'ii.  It  is  very  <in(M\  to  know  all  tliosc^  thing's  wliidi  tlic 
wliiti-  ])('(>;!l(>  know,  and  it  is  ri^dit  lor  tlicm  to  tcaili  tlicm  1o 
llu'ir  cliildri'ii.  We  also  instrui't  ours  in  our  own  wav:  wi;  tcacli 
lliciii  to  iirornrc  food  liy  iMiiitiiu.'.  and  to  l\il|  tin  ir  cncniics.  Unt 
wf  want  no  scliools,  sni'li  as  yon  oU'rr  n<.  W  V  wish  our  ihildron 
to  rrniain  as  llio  (iri'at  Sjiirit  made  thcni,  and  as  their  fatlwrs 
are,  Indians.  'V\\v.  (ireat  Spirit  has  made  dillerent  kinds  of  men, 
and  u:iveii  them  separate  eonntries  to  live  in;  find  he  has  yiven  to 
eaeh  the  arts  tliat  arr  suileij  to  his  eondiliou.  It  is  not  I'or  ns  to 
ehanjjc  tlie  desi'jns  oi' the  ( Ireal  Masti  r  of  Life.  If  yon ''.stalilish 
a  sehool,  and  Itaeli  onr  'hildreii  the  knowh  (lfj;e  of  the  \vhile 
peopli  .  llicv  \^■ill  cease  to  lie  Indians.  The  (Ireat  Spirit  wishes  no 
ehaniie  in  his  red  ehiidn  ii.  Tliev  aii^  \ery  trood  as  he  madi^ 
them;   if  the   while   man  attempts  1o   im|)ro\e,  iir   will   spoil   them. 

"  I'athir,  wi' thank  yon  for  vom- oiler;  Imt  we  ^lo  not  wish  our 
children  to  lie  lau'^ht  the  ways  of  your  people  . 

'•  Listen,  father,  and  I  will  lell  you  how  tin- f ireat  Spirit  made 
man,  and  how  he  ^'ave  to  men  of  diilrn  nt  colors  III.  dill'M-cnt 
einplovments  that  we  find  them  eii^ajrcd  in.  After  die  world  was 
made,  it  was  solitarx'.  It  was  very  lieautitnl;  the  li.rrsts  alioimded 
in  ;r;iii,('  and  i'niit :  llic  'jrcat  jilains  were  covrri'il  \*  ilh  ricer  .'«iiil 
elk,  and  'lulfdo,  and  the  rivers  were  full  of  fish ;  there  wcfi'  inuiiv 
hears  and  heaver,  aiii  olhi  r  fat  animals.  Itiil  therr  wac  iio  heii.g  t<i 
«'iijoy  these  <rooi'  thiii'^s.  TIhii  the  Master  of  Life  said,  Wv!  will 
make  man.  Man  was  riiailc  'out  when  li{>  .s1o«hI  up  Uf-ri'  hm 
Maki  r,  he  was  ir/ii/i !  The  (ireat  Spirit  was  sorr\  ;  \tc  saw  that 
tlic  heiii|,f  he  had  made  was  pale  and  weak;  he  tonk  pity  '»i  him, 
and  therefore  did  not  unniahe  him.  hut  li't  him  live,  lie  tried 
tij^ain,  for  he  was  determim-d  to  make  a  jierfect  man;  lint  in  his 
endeavor  to  avoid   making  another   white  man,  he  went  inu»  tlie 


NKA.M  A  llllw\, 


88 


nijposito  extreme,  and   \\\w\i  the;  scciukI   Ijciiiii,  rose,  up,  ami  ^t()(Hl 
Iicforo  liim,  ho  Wiis ///(.•(.•^•/     Tlus  fJi-cat   S|iiiit   likcil   the  black   man 


less  than   ihi^  \vli!t(>,  and  lie  sliuvcil   him   aside  1 


am 


ithcr  trial.      Tlici.  it    was  tliat  lin  ma<lt;  the  rrd 


<>  niaUc  iMom   |(ir 


and   llii! 


red   man  iilcascil  liun. 

'■  .My  lather,  listen — I  have  nut  tnld  yim  all.  In  this  u ay  tho 
CJrcat  S|)irit  made  iIk;  wliite,  thci  hlark,  and  the  red  man,  when 
lie  pnt  them  nimn  the  eartli.  Ih're  they  were — hut  they  wi'H! 
very  poor.  'J'hoy  had  nn  Idd'jes  nnr  horses,  no  lools  to  woriv  with, 
no  tra|)s,  n"r  any  tliinsf  with  wluih  to  kill  j^amc.  All  at  onee, 
thnso  three  nii'n,  Innkinif  up,  saw  thret;  lari^e  ho.xes  coniiiiij  down 

■'1  till'  sky.  'I'liev  deseendetl  very  slov^ly,  Ijul  at  last  reaehed 
i'v  gronnd,  while  these  lluve  poor  men  sto(Kl  and  looked  ;il  lliein, 
not   knowintj  what   In  ilo.     Then  dietin^at  Spirit  spoke  ami  siiid, 


W 


lite  man,  voii  are   ])ale  anil    \\v:\ 


wil 


rivi' 


on 


liul  I   made  yon   lirst.  and 
1  the  lirst  choice ;  an  to  tin;  boxes,  oiicn  llicin  and  l(M)k 


in,  and  choose  v\hich  you  will  lake  for 


your  portion. 


'I'l 


ic  wiiitt* 


man  o|)ened  the  boxes,  liniked    in,  and  said,  'I  will  lake  tins'      it 


was  filled  with  pens,  and   ink,  and 
thinifs  as  your  peojile  now  \ise. 


pajier,  and  cnnipasses,  and  such 
'i'lie    ( 


I  real  Spirit  spoke  a<rain, 
and  said,  '  Hlack  man,  I  matl*^  you  next,  1/Ul  I  do  nit  like  you. 
Yon  may  stand  aside.  'I'lu;  Hed  man  is  my  i'i'\orite,  he  shall 
come  forward  and  lake  \]h\  next  choice;  Hed  man,  choose  your 
|iorlion  of  the  thinijs  of  this  world.'  '['Ik;  Hed  man  stepped  boldly 
up  and  chose  a  Imv:  fdleil  with  lnuiihau ks.  knives,  v\ar-c!ubs,  traps, 


and   such  thiny;s  as  are   useful   in  war 
Siiiril   lau'died  when  he  saw  how  well 


Old  huntinjf.      The  (Jniat 
lis  red  son  knew  hnw  *c 


choose.     'I'lien  he  .said  to  the  ney;ro,  '  ^'on  may  hav«^  v\hat  is  left, 


the  third    box    is   t 


or  von. 


hat  was  tilled   with  axes  ami  hoes, 
with  buckets  to  carry  water  in,  and  lou^  whiiis  for  dri\iuu  oxen 


which   meant   thai    ll 


lie 


;ro    must   work    for   both    l!ie    n  d    ami 


*r 


hite 


man,  and   it    has  been  .so  ever  snicc. 


84 


BIOUUAIMIY 


"Father,  we   want  no  cliaiigo;  wc  desire  no  school,  and  none 
tlie  loaehings  of  while  people.     The  Masl(>r  of  Life  knew  what 


was  liesl  lor  Ins  i 


hill] 


ren. 


W 


c  are  salisliei 


l,.t 


T 


.f  tl 


IIS  is  a  liaj)[)y  instancu  ol  tlie  modi!  ol   illuslralioii  hy  |)aral)l( 


III 


us  alone. 
1) 


iral) 


\viiich,  lH'iii'4  tilt!  iiio.st  simple  and  natural  iiietliotl  of  explanation, 
seems  to  have  heeii  ado[)ted  hy  all  rude  nations.  The  I'Mdiii;^^ 
idea  ia  the  haranirue  of  Neumathla  was  not  oriifinal  with  him,  hut 


was  llie  (■omiiiiiiilv   receivi'i 


notion  amnii'''   tiie 


Iiid 


ians,  from  the 


earliest  times  of  whieh  ui;   have  any  account.     Tiie   vast  dill'cr- 
enee  hetwoon  them  and  tlie    Europeans,  hotli  pli\sical  and  moral, 


naliir: 


sULrii'i'sted  th(!  iiiea  that  tl 


ley  were  distinct  races,  created 
lur  dilleriMit  pur|)oses;  and  the  iinha]i|)y  results  of  the  intercourse 
Iictwccn  tlieiii,  and  of  e\('rv  attciniit   to  unite  them,  itavc  additional 


oilier  politicians 


streni^th  to  the  npininii.     The  chiefs,  who,  likt 

Knew  hnw  to  avail  tliemselves  of  a  popular  prejudici 

'ho    i,freat  advaiitaucs  of  eiicoiiraniui^   a  helief  which  perpetiiateil 


at  once 


tl 


MMr   own    au'hority,    hv  excludiiiu;    the   foreiLiii    iiillueiices 


that 


would   liavi!  uestroved  alike  tiie  ualional  character  ol  the  sava";es 


.f  th 


Old   their  cvistiijir  fnriiis  t 


.f  sill 


KM'diiiatKin. 


lie  wea 


hh,  tl 


le  arts, 


and  the  luimhers  of  the  invading:  race  alarmed  their  jealousy;  for 
they  had  the  .saijfa<'ity  to  pe'ceive  that  if  amic;ii)le  relations  and  an 
unrestricted  familiar  interv'our,se  should  he  estahlished  with  a  people 
po.ssessintf  such  ample  means  of  conquest,  the  latter  must  inevitably, 
either  hy  iirce  i>r  iuLfemiily,  ohtaiu  the  complete  ascendencv.  The 
lictiou   emiiloved    hv    Neamiithla,    to   coiivev  the    ideas   entert;iiiicd 


ly    Ills    people,    is 


his  own    invention. 


d    is   creditaiile  to  hi 


ii'trciiiiity.  It  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  Indian  style  of  eIo(pience. 
They  do  not  attempt  wlmt  wo  wonld  call  ar<,nimeiit;  iiure  abstract 
rea.soninuf  is  heyond    their  comprchensicm.      But  thev   are  expert 


in    the   (Muplovmeiit   nf    lioures, 


I IV     w 


hicli    till'    fiiiniliar    ohjects 


arouiil   tlicm   are  made  to   represent    tlieir  ideas.     Thev   ln\e   no 
theories  nor  traditions,   in   rcLrard   to  the  creation,  whicli   se(>m   to 


NEAMA  IIH.A. 


85 


hav.  ..-nnl..nv..,l  In.,,.  a,.y  n.spoC.l.l..  sour.o.ur  (..  be  VM.-ra....! 
'"r  tlnn-  aMt,.,Mity,  n.,r  any,  iu.h.,.,1,  vvlucb  l.av.  n.uch  autlu.ritv 
<Mm,n^  tluMnselves.  Eve.y  tril,.  1...  i.^  1,..,„,,,  ,..,,^....1.1  l,v  tl.; 
c  uos  „r  ,.n4,l.e1.s  to  serve  son.e  ,e,„,,oru-y  p-n-p...,  ,h.  ,...;,  ..f 
^vluc-h  are  o,  a  puerile  and  nu.ustrous  eharacter.  Few  „r  ,he„. 
aroof  ,nuch  auti.p.y;  and.  hei,..  .L.titute  alike  of  In.storica  and 
poetic  mcrjt,  thoy  aro  soon  foryotteu. 


nmmBmmm 


r 


rORN    TLA  XT. 


'I'm:  Scnt'CiiH,  sus  wv.  hnw  :ilrt':ii|y  s1;itt'il  in  anollicr  iilacc,  wjtk 
ii  tnlic  of  till-  Ir<i<|UoiH,  or  Kiv((  Nations;  rmd,  niort!  rt'cciitlv,  tlit< 
Six  Nations,  wlicii  llic  'rnscanmis  wrn*  aildwl  to  tlir  conicdcracv, 
wliii'h  then  consistcil  oC  tli»^  MnliiiwKs,  Onciilas,  Ononilai^iH's,  Stni'- 
i-as,  CJayiii(as,  and  'I'liscaioins.  'I'lii'sc  Indians  wen'  anionjf  tlin 
carlioHt  who  \vcri>  known  to  tlio  Knijlisli,  who  rf((ii'ni/.i'<l  tlit  ni  as 
a  warhkc  and  jtowi  rliil  |i('o|il(',  and  ti'uk  no  small  |)ains  to  conciliiiti^ 
llirir  riicndship.  In  tho  your  171U,  live  chicls  of  tiic  IiiMniois  with 
indnccd  by  llic  British  ollicrrs  to  visit  I']nt{lan<i,  nndfi*  the  cxjit'ctu- 
tion  lliat  their  savant-  natiin^s  iniijht  lie  sol'tcncd  i)v  Kindnt-ss,  or  ihrir 
rears  alarmed  liy  an  exlnhition  ol  the  jiower  and  nia^nilieence  ot* 
tlie  ilritisli  sovereiiin.  This  event  exeited  iiuieli  altention  in 
London.  Steele  mentioned  it  in  his  Tattler  of  Mav  \'\,  1710,  wliilo 
Addison  devoted  a  nuniher  of  the  Speetator  to  the  same  snhjeet. 
Swil't,  who  was  amiiilioiis  to  Ix^  a  politieian,  and  s\ho  siitVered  no 
oeeurrenec  of  a  pwhlic  nature  to  e«,(;i|ie  his  attention,  remarks,  in 


one 


of  his  h'tters  to  Mrs.  John> 


I  nitendt'd  to  have  written 


liook  on  that  suhjeet.      I   ImIicm'  lie  (.\ddison)  ha.'"  spent    il  ail  m 


<mv  paper,  and  all  the  imilrr  hints  tliiic  aie  mine  too. 


tr.nts  were  taken,  anil  are  stdl   |>reserveil    in  tin 


Brit 


isli 


Tl 
M 


leir  iinr- 


u.sewm ; 


and  Steelo  says,  of  these  illustrious  stranv'ers:  "they  were  placed 
in  a  handsome  a[)artment,  at  an  upholsterer's  iu  King  street,  Covenl 
Canlen." 

In  Oldmixon's  History  we  IiikI  the  foHowinir  notice;  "For  the 
:.U<"ees8es  in  Spain,  and  lor  the  lakinij  of  Dcuav,  Helliune.  and 
Aiff,   hy   the    l)uk«<    of   Miu'lliomniih,    ni    I'landers,    tlien-    was    a 


12 


I"'?) 


88 


I!  km;  It  A  I'll  Y 


tliiiiiksun  ih^   il:i\    :i|i|i()iiitt>*l,  wliich   llu;   C^urii   Nuliiiuii'/nl  at   St. 
•I.     'I'd  liavo  j^oiir,  as  usual,  lo  S|.  j'aiil's,  ami   tin  re  In 


aiiifs  riiaiM 


I' 
lia\i'   liail  7'    /^( ////f  siiiiir,  (Ml  that  (iccasimi,  wmilil    liavc  sliowii  tno 

iiiiii'li  ('iiuiiti'iiaiii't'  til  tlmst'  lii'avo  iiml  vicliiiiniis  liiiu'lisli  ^ciit'rals 
\\lnt  wrrc  tii,'litiii'^  lur  Itatllcs  alirnail,  wWiU-  lli'^li  Cjmn'li  wan 
|ili)ttiii<_'.  ami  railiiiix,  and  aildrcssiht^  aLraiasI  tlicm  at  laani'.  'I'lir 
i-arryiiii;  "t  llvi^  Imliaii  casiKiurs  alioiit  in  the  (^la  rn's  (•(lacjus.  was 
all  till'  tniiiM|ili  of  tlif  llai'lfi:iii  adiiiinistraliuii ;  tlay  wire  (allrd 
Kin^s,  mid  clotlud  \<y  tlu*  |ilaylioiisi^  tailor,  liKr  dtiicr  kiiius  nf  llu- 
llii'alri';  tliry  wcit' ••midiiitfd  to  amliriMc  liv  Sir  Cliailcs  ('dttcni ; 
thtrc  waH  a  s|U'i'('li  made  lor  tlu'iii,  and  nolliin<^  oniilti  d  to  do  lionor 
to  tli(s«>  live  nionanlis,  whow  prt'sriifc  did  so  iiimli  lionor  tlir  new 
ministry." 

In  a  work  rntitlcd  "'I'la'  Annals  ol'  (.^ mi' a  .\nia'"s  Hriiiii,  A'car 
llif  l.\,llir  17li>,"  \\ritlrn  liy  Mr.  Hoytr,  wi-  lind  tlic  rollouint^ 
rrniarks:  "On  tlu'  I'.ttli  April, 'r»-y<-nt«n-lio!,'.i-|iro\v,  and  Sa-^a- 
yfan-<|iia-|)ra-lon,  ol'  \\tv  Maijuas,  I'dow-oli-kanin,  and  ( Hi-iaali- 
y»'alli-ton-no-|iro\\,  of  Ihr  ri\rr  Sailicni,  and  ihr  ( itnajolidion! 
sarhiin,    lour   kinus,   or  I'lud's,   of  tin'   Six    Nations,   in    tin-    Wot 


miles,    w 


lui'li    lie    licluiiu    .New    Mntiland   and    Ninv    Franrt-,  or 


Canaila,  who  lately  eana'  over  with  tlu;  West    India  lleet,  and  wero 
clothed    and    entertained    at     the    ijueen's    e\|iense,    had    a    pnlilic. 


ludienee  o|  her   majesty,  at   the   palaec  i 


iC  St.   .!i 


unes,   liemi^   eon 


dueled  in  two  of  her  majesty's  eoaehes,  hy  Sir  Janus  CoHerel, 
master  ot' eereinonies,  and  inl'MiIiieed  li\  llie  hidvi-  ol  Somerset, 
lord  ehamlierlain."  'I'lie  historian  then  jiroeeeds  •,.  re'  ite  a  Innuf 
xpt'eeh,  whieh  these  hwUviwx  /loiii  Ihi  ''•  >7  Mrs,  lirliivrii  .\rii< 
r./iif/'im/  timl  Ciiiintld,  WW  siipposed  In  ha*-  made  to  tlie  Uritisli 
monanli,  Imt  whuli  is  so  e\ideiitl\  of  lln^lish  mannrai'ture,  that 
wo  refrain  from  'jivin'j  il  a  |ilnee.  We  ue  fartlur  informed,  that 
our  ehiefs  remained  in  London,  alter  tlnir  audienee  uith  her 
Miajestv,  alMint  a  tort niudit,  and  were  entertained  hy  Hoveral  persons 
of  distinetion,  partieularlv  the  Diike  of  Oriuond,  who  r)>^rali'<l  them 


CORN    PLANT 


89 


Ilk 


(wisf   with    .1   review   of   the    lixir   trinips  of   life   iriiiinl 


Ii 


Siiiitii'.s  ll'story  i>r  New  N'uik,  we  lire  tnlil,  "Tlie  aiiival  nl  tlieso 
livi'  saelienis  \\i  I'iii^lanil,  made  a  u;i°eal  limit  tlirniHjrlniiit  tlie  vvlmle 
kiiiU[<l<)in.  'The  iiioli  iuljowiil  wlien  ver  lliey  went,  ami  small  eiilM 
III   tliem  went  wiliI   iiliioiiir  tlie   |ie(i|iie." 

Tlie  visits  nf  liiiliaii  eliiefs  tn  tlie  iiKne  reliiiei)  and  eivili/ed  parts 
of  the  wurld  are,  iuilia|i|iil\ ,  to  Ih^  reuArded  oiilv  as  a  matter  tor 
eiiriositv,  lor  we  do  not  liiid  that  tliev  have  jiiodiieed  any  lieiielieial 
results.  The  savau'e  yazed  wi'h  astonishment  at  the  wontlers  of 
art  and  luxury  wliieli  met  his  eve  at  everv  slej).  and  returned  to 
repeat  the  marvellous  narrative  of  his  travels  'o  hearers  vviiu  listened 
without   underslandiii'r  the  recital,  or  lieiii<r  coiivineed  i 


.1"  tl 


leir  own 


inierior  roinlilion.     Tl 


le  dislanee  lietvvceii  themselves  and  the  vvhiti! 


men  was  too   i:reat    to   h 


measureil   iiy   their    reasoiuntr    powers. 


There  was  no  standard  of  I'omparisoii  liy  vvhieli  they  could  trv  the 
respeetivo  merits  of  iM'iiiifS  so  dill'ereiit,  and  iiiiHles  of  lile  so  oppo- 
site; an<l  they  satisfied  themselves  with  Mipiiosinu;  that  the  two 
races  were  created  with  distinct    faculties,  and  destined   for  separate 

'liev   took    little    pains    to   investieate  any 


spheres  of   existence 


thiiiir  wliieh  was  new  or  wonderful,  hut   hrielly  resolved  all  dilliciil- 
ties  l>v  relerriiiy;  them  to  fatalilv,  or  to  maific.     A  lew  of  tin'  more 


acute,  obtained  distant  and  misty  glimpses  ol  the  Irulli,  and  were 
willinij  to  spare  the  weaker  intellects  of  their  people,  from  a  kiiow- 
lediie  which  tilled  themselves  w  itli  dread  and  sorrow;  for,  in  the 
little  which  they  eoinpreheiided  of  lliiropean  power,  they  saw  the 
varied  and  overwhelming;  eleineiits  of  a  siiperiori*  v  which  threatened 
iicr   tht  ir    wisest    ail!    most    patiiotic   ehiels 


their  clestruction 


II. 


have  lieeii  |irudeiitly  jealous  ol  eivili/.ation;  while  the  Indians  in 
yenerul  have  feare<l  and  distrusted  that  which  they  could  not  com 
pnlieiid.  A  striking  instance,  in  illustration  of  these  remarks,  inav 
he  found  in  the  sloiy  of  an  individual  lielontiini,'  to  the  Iroipiois 
confederacy,  upon  whom  the  e.\|M'rinu'nt  of  a  civilized  ediiealioii 
wiu*  fairlv   tried. 


CO UN    PLANT 


•J  I 


i!i(';iiis  (if  i;nitirvin^f  lliti  linital   ]ini|p(iisity  whicli  wus  ikiw  liis  solo 
rfiii!iiiiiiii(  pii.ssidii. 

As  Dur  ()l)jcct  is  tci  illiistnit'  liii'  Indian  rlmriiftcr,  \\r  may  Iw 
pcrrnitfril  In  extend  this  dii^rression  hy  relatiiii.',  liefnre  we  |irniee(l 
to  tlie  |iri)|ier  sulijei't  of  tho  article,  another  anecdote,  which,  uliih- 
it  e\nti|ililit'S  the  self-|)ossessioM  of  tlie  Indian,  ami  the  reaiiiness 
witli  which  he  adapts  hinisclt'  t»>  circnnistanccs,  shows  also  how 
slit^lit  are  tiie  iinprcHsi<ins  made  npon  his  mind  liy  the  finest  inci- 
dents, or  llic  nuts!  aj^reoahle  olijects  in  civilized  lite.  In  l"*!!!,  an 
Indian  warrior,  named  MaKawitta,  happenecl  to  he  a  passen^'er 
uiKm  Lake  Krio,  in  the  stcamlioat  Wallv-in-the-water.  On  hoard 
the  same  vessel  was  a  spriiihlly  yoinitj  lady,  who,  pleased  with  the, 
line  appearance  ami  manly  deportment  ol"  tlie  sa\au;e,  played  oil' 
npon  him  some  ol  those  fiiMcinatin^  coipu'tries,  in  which  fair  ladies 
are  so  expert,  and  w 


hich  the  wisest  men  are  imalile  to  resist,  and 
tinwillinLj  to  avoid.  Maliaw  itia  was  a  yonth  of  little  over  twenty 
years,  neal  in  his  dress,  and  uracel'id  as  well  as  di^niilied  in  his 
movements;  we  presnme  the  ladv  was  IkMIi  witty  and  hamlsome, 
and  we  are  assnrcil  that  the  pas.scnijers  were  hi'jhly  am\i.M(l  at 
this  em-onnter  hetween  a  hcllc  and  a  heaii  of  snch  opposite  nnr- 
tnre.  I'or  some  time  he  snstaineii  his  part  with  admirahle  tact,  Init 
when  his  fair  opponent  drew  a  riny;  iVom  her  fm<,fer,  and  plaiad  it 
on  his,  he  stood  for  a  moment  in  respectfnl  silence,  at  a  loss  to 
understaml  the  meanini;  of  the  ceremonv. 


itl 


.k 


k  <,'entleinan  wlio  spoke 
his  laniriiaire,  api)rised  him  that  the  rinir  was  a  token  of  affection; 
ujion  which,  jilaeint^  himself  in  a  uraccfu!  attilndc,  he  addres.sed 
her  in  an  oratorical  style,  which  simwed  that  he  entered  fnll\  into 
the  spirit  of  the  hccne,  in  tin;  ft)llowin^  words: 

"Von  have  conferred    ho  besi  ijift — this  rintr,  emblem  of  love— 
of  love  that   lives  while    lu^  Ci/cat  Spirit  endnrcs.     My  heart  is 
toncheil — it  is  yonrs  for  C'T 


Wll 


preserve  this   rinij  w  hijc 


I 


live 


I  will   liear   it  with   n 


le 


over  the  miujlity  waters,  to  the  land  of  itchkI  spirits. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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o 


#/ 


/a 


!.0 


I.I 


U'       140 


■  2.2 

1.8 


11.25  il.4   IIIIII.6 


<^ 


,%. 


/A 


■VQ 


/>^ 


y 


/A 


Photographic 

Scienc^es 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)872-4503 


? 


€v 


93 


BIOGRAPHY. 


"I  am  liappy  to  be  with  you  in  this  wonderful  canoe,  moved  by 
the  Great  Spirit,  and  conducted  by  the  Big  Fist  of  the  great  deep. 

"I  v.-ish  to  bo  with  you  until  I  go  to  the  land  where  my  fathers 
have  gone.  Take  back  the  ring,  and  give  me  that  which  I  value 
more — yourself.'" 

On  the  next  da}^  the  ring  was  bartered  for  a  drink  of  whisky ! 

Such  is  the  singular  race  whose  history  we  are  endeavoring  to 
exemplify — patient  under  hardship,  sul)lle  in  war,  inflexible  in  the 
stern  purpose  of  revenge,  Init  fickle  in  every  good  resolution,  and 
irreclaimable  in  barbarism.  In  the  multitude,  bravery  is  a  cornnum 
virtue,  a  prominent  and  almost  a  single  merit;  while  liere  and  there 
a  noble  character  shines  like  a  bright  peculiar  star  among  the  host 
of  more  warriors,  adorned  with  the  highest  qualities  that  dignify 
and  soften  the  harslicr  features  of  manlicod. 

Tlic  name  of  Corn  Plant  is  very  famiUar  to  most  of  our  country- 
men, yet  we  have  been  unable  to  obtain  the  materials  for  a  connected 
account  of  his  whole  career.  He  was  a  chief  of  the  Senecas,  and 
the  rival  of  Red  Jacket,  from  wliom  he  dilfercd  in  character, 
while  he  ecpialled  him  in  influence.  Without  the  commanding 
•  genius  of  Red  Jacket,  lie  possessed  a  large  share  of  the  common 
«iense  which  is  more  efficient  in  all  the  ordinary  affiiirs  of  life. 
They  were  botli  able  men;  both  acquired  the  confidence  of  their 
people ;  but  the  patriotism  of  Red  Jacket  was  exhibited  in  an 
unyielding  hatred  of  the  wliit(^s,  between  whom  and  the  red  men, 
he  would  have  cut  off  all  intercourse;  while  Corn  Plant  adopted 
the  opposite  policy  of  conciliation,  towards  his  more  powerful  neigh- 
bors. The  one  was  a  warrior  of  unblemished  reputation,  the  other 
an  orator  of  unrivalled  elotiuencc ;  both  were  shrewd,  artful,  and 
expert  negotiators,  and  they  prevailed  alternately  over  each  other, 
as  opportunities  were  offered  to  either  for  the  exertion  of  his  peculiar 
abilities.  The  one  rose  into  power  when  the  Senecas  were  embit- 
tered against  the  whites,  and  the  other  acquired  conscfpience  when 
it  became  desirable  to  cultivate  friendly  relations  upon  the  frontier. 


COKN   PLANT. 


93 


The  fiitlicr  of  Corn  Plant  was  a  white  man,  and  is  said  to  liave 
Deen  an  Irishman;  but  nothing  is  now  known  of  him,  except  what 
may  Ije  gathered  from  a  letter  of  Corn  Plant  to  the  Governor  of 
Pennsylvania.  This  siiignlar  production  was,  of  course,  dictated 
to  an  interpreter,  who  acted  as  amanuensis,  bvit  the  sentiments  are 
luidouhtedly  his  own.  It  was  dated  in  1S2'2,  when  the  lands 
r.  s  Tved  for  the  Indians  in  the  north-western  part  of  Pennsylvania 
became  surrounded  by  the  farms  of  the  whiles,  and  some  attempt 
was  made  to  tax  the  property  of  the  Seneca  chief;  in  consequence 
of  which  he  wrote  this  epistle  to  the  governor. 

"I  *cel  it  my  duty  to  send  a  speech  to  the  Governor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, at  this  time,  and  inform  him  of  the  place  where  I  was  from — 
which  was  at  Connewaugus  on  the  Genessee  river 

"  Wlicn  I  was  a  child  I  played  whh  the  butterfly,  the  grass- 
hopper, and  the  frogs;  and  as  I  grew  up  I  began  to  pay  some  atten- 
tion, and  play  with  the  Indian  bo3's  in  the  neighborhood,  and  they 
took  notice  of  my  skin  being  of  a  different  color  from  theirs,  and 
spoke  about  it.  I  inquired  of  ni)'  mother  the  cause,  and  she  told 
mc  that  my  father  was  a  residenter  in  Albany.  I  still  cat  my 
victuals  out  of  a  bark  dish.  I  grew  up  to  be  a  young  man,  and 
married  me  a  wife,  and  I  had  no  keltle  nor  gun.  I  then  knew 
where  my  father  lived,  and  went  to  sec  him,  and  foimd  he  was  a 
while  man,  and  spoke  the  English  language.  He  gave  me  victuals 
while  I  was  at  his  house,  but  when  I  started  home,  he  gave  me  no 
provision  to  eat  on  llio  way.  lie  gave  nic  neither  kettle  noi  gun, 
neither  did  he  tell  mc  that  the  I'liitod  States  were  about  to  rebel 
atrainst  the  government  of  Entiland. 

"I  will  now  tell  yon,  brotliers,  who  are  in  session  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  Pennsylvania,  that  the  Great  Spirit  has  made  known 
to  me  that  I  have  been  wicked;  and  the  cause  tliereof  has  been  the 
revolutionary  war  in  America.  The  cause  of  Indiims  being  led 
into  sin  at  that  time,  was  lliat  many  of  them  were  in  the  practice  of 
drinking  and   getting  intoxicated.     Great  liritain  requested  us  te 


94 


BIOGRAPHY. 


join  ^\•ith  them  in  the  conflict  airninst  the  Americans,  and  promised 
the  Indians  land  and  liquor.  I  myself  was  opposed  to  joining  in 
the  conflict,  as  I  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  dilFiculty  tliat  existed 
hctween  the  two  parties.  I  have  now  informed  you  how  it  hap- 
pened, that  the  Indians  took  a  part  in  the  revolution,  and  will  relate 
to  you  some  circumstances  that  occurred  after  the  close  of  the  war. 
General  Putnam,  who  was  then  at  Philadelphia,  told  me  tlicre  was 
to  lie  a  coimcil  at  Fort  Stanwix;  and  the  Indians  requested  me  to 
attend  on  behalf  of  the  Six  Nations,  which  I  did,  and  there  met 
Mith  three  commissioners  who  had  been  appointed  1o  hold  the 
council.  They  told  me  that  they  would  inform  me  of  the  cause  of 
tlie  revolution,  which  I  requested  tliem  to  do  minutely.  They  then 
said  that  it  originated  on  account  of  the  heavy  taxes  that  had  been 
imposed  upon  them  by  the  British  government,  which  had  been  Ibr 
fifty  years  increasing  upon  them;  that  the  Americans  had  grown 
weary  tlicreof,  and  refused  to  pay,  which  alfronted  the  king.  There 
had  likewise  a  difliculty  taken  place  about  some  tea  which  they 
wished  me  not  to  use,  as  it  had  been  one  of  the  causes  that  many 
people  had  lost  their  lives.  And  the  British  government  now  ])eing 
affronted,  the  war  commenced,  and  the  cannons  began  to  roar  in 
our  country. 

"General  Putnam  then  told  me,  at  the  council  at  Fort  Stanwix. 
that  by  the  late  war  the  Americans  ha<l  gained  two  objects;  they 
had  established  themselves  an  independent  nation,  and  had  obtained 
some  land  to  live  upon,  the  division  line  of  which  from  Great 
Britain  run  through  the  Lakes.  I  then  spoke,  and  said  I  wanted 
some  ]:ind  for  the  Indians  to  live  on,  and  General  Putnam  said  tliat 
it  should  be  granted,  and  I  should  have  land  in  the  State  of  New 
York  for  the  Indians.  He  then  encouraged  me  to  use  my  endeavors 
to  pacify  the  Indians  generally;  and  as  he  considered  it  an  arduous 
task,  wLshed  to  know  what  pay  I  would  require.  I  replied,  that  I 
would  use  my  endeavors  to  do  as  he  requested  with  the  Iiidia.is, 
and  for  pay  therefor,  I  would  take  land.     I  told  him  not  to  pay  me 


CORN    PLANT. 


'J') 


money  or  dry  goods,  but  land.  And  for  having  attended  thereto,  1 
received  the  tract  of  land  on  which  I  now  live,  which  was  presented 
to  nic  by  Governor  MillUn.  I  told  General  Putnam  that  I  wished 
the  Indians  to  have  the  exclusive  privilege  of  the  deer  and  wild 
game,  to  which  he  assented;  I  also  wislied  the  Indians  to  have  the 
privilege  of  hunting  in  the  woods  and  making  fires,  which  he  like- 
wise assented  to. 

"  The  treaty  that  was  made  at  the  aforementioned  council,  has 
been  broken  by  some  of  the  white  })cople,  whicli  I  now  intend 
accpiaiiiling  tae  governor  with.  Some  white  people  arc  not  willing 
that  Indians  should  hunt  any  more,  whilst  others  are  satisfied  there- 
with; and  those  white  people  who  reside  near  our  reservation,  tell 
us  that  tlie  woods  are  theirs,  and  they  have  obtained  them  from  the 
governor.  The  treaty  has  also  been  broken  by  the  white  people 
using  their  endeavors  to  destroy  all  the  wolves,  which  was  not 
spoken  about  in  the  council  at  Fort  Stanwix  by  General  Putnam, 
bnt  has  originated  lately. 

"It  has  been  broken  again,  which  is  of  recent  origin.  White 
people  get  credit  from  Indians,  and  do  not  pay  them  honestly  accord- 
ing to  agreement  In  another  respect,  also,  it  has  been  broken  by 
white  people  residing  near  my  dwelling;  for  when  I  plant  melons 
and  vines  in  my  field,  they  take  them  as  their  own.  It  has  been 
broken  again,  by  white  people  using  their  endeavors  to  obtain  our 
l)ine  trees  from  tis.  We  have  very  few  pine  trees  on  our  lands  in  tho 
State  of  New  York;  and  whites  and  Indians  often  get  into  dispute 
respecting  them.  There  is  also  a  great  quantity  of  whisk-,  bror.^ht 
near  our  reservation,  and  the  Indians  obtain  it  and  become  drunken 

"  Another  circumstance  has  taken  place  which  is  very  trying  ■;> 
me,  and  I  wish  for  the  interference  of  the  governor.  The  \\hite 
people  who  live  at  AA'arren,  called  upon  me  some  time  ago  to  pay 
taxes  for  my  land,  which  I  objected  to,  as  I  never  had  been  called 
upon  for  that  purpose  before;  and  having  refused  to  pay,  ihcy 
became  irritated,  called  upon  me  iVequently,  and  at  length  brought 
13 


96 


BIOGRAPHY. 


four  guns  with  Uiem  and  seized  our  caUle.  I  still  refi  scd  to  pay, 
and  was  not  willing  to  let  the  cattle  go.  After  u  time  of  dispute 
they  returned  home,  and  I  understood  the  militia  was  ordered  out 
to  enforce  the  collection  of  the  t:ix.  I  went  to  Warrci,  and,  to  avert 
the  impi'uding  dill'iculty,  was  obliged  to  give  my  note  for  the  tax, 
the  amount  of  which  was  forty-three  dollars  and  seventy-nine  cents. 
It  is  iny  desire  that  the  governor  will  exempt  me  from  paying  taxes 
for  my  land  to  white  people ;  and  also  to  cause  that  the  money  I  am 
now  oblig(Hl  to  pay,  he  refunded  to  me,  as  I  am  very  poor.  The 
governor  is  the  person  who  attends  to  the  situation  of  the  people, 
and  I  wish  him  to  send  a  person  to  Alleghany,  that  I  may  inform 
him  of  the  particulars  of  our  situation,  and  he  be  authorized  to 
instruct  the  white  peo[)le  in  what  manner  to  conduct  themselves 
towards  the  Indians. 

"The  government  has  told  us  that,  whendilTicidtips  arose  between 
the  Indians  and  the  white  people,  they  would  attend  to  having  them 
removed.  We  are  now  in  a  trying  situation,  and  I  wish  the 
governor  to  send  a  person  authorized  to  attend  thereto,  the  fore  part 
of  ne.vt  summer,  about  the  time  that  the  grass  has  grown  big 
enough  for  pasture. 

"The  governor  formerly  requested  me  to  pay  attention  to  the 
Indians,  and  take  care  of  them.  We  are  now  arrived  at  a  situation 
in  which  I  believe  tlie  Indians  cannot  exist,  unless  the  governor 
should  comply  with  my  request,  and  send  a  person  authorized  to 
treat  between  us  and  the  white  people,  the  approaching  sumrier. 
I  have  now  no  more  to  speak." 

It  is  unfortunfite  that  most  of  the  interpreters  through  whom  the 
productions  of  the  aboriginal  intellect  have  reached  us,  have  been 
so  entirely  illitcate  as  to  be  equally  incapable  of  appreciating  tlie 
finer  touches  of  sentiment  and  eloquence,  and  of  expressing  them 
nppropriately  in  our  language.  The  letter  of  Corn  Plant  is  distin- 
guished by  its  simplicity  and  good  sense,  and  was  no  doubt  dictated 
in  the  concis(>,  nervous,  and  elevated  style  of  the  Indian  orator, 


CORN  PLANT. 


9t 


while  we  Imvc  received  it  in  a  garbled  version  of  very  shabby 
Englisli.  His  account  of  his  parentage  is  siini)le  and  touching; 
I'is  nnprotectod  yet  happy  infiuicy,  wlien  he  phijed  nith  the  butterjlij, 
the  grasshopper,  and  the  fi'og,  is  sketched  with  a  scriptural  felicity 
of  hlyle;  llierc  is  soinothing  very  striking  in  the  description  of  his 
povcnMy,  wlicn  ho  grew  up  to  be  a  young  man,  and  married  a  wife, 
and  had  no  kdtlc  nor  gun  ;  while  the  brief  aci^ount  of  his  visit  to 
his  fill  her  is  marked  by  the  pathos  of  genuine  feeling.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  he  did  not  pursue  the  narrative,  and  inform  us  by 
what  steps  he  rose  from  his  low  estate  to  become  the  head  of  a 
trilje.  We  learn  from  diher  sources  that  he  was  a  successful  war- 
rior, and  it  is  probable  that  the  tra<.lers  and  the  missionaries,  whose 
interest  he  espoused,  in  opposition  to  Red  Jacket,  aided  in  his 
elevation.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  letter  he  has  given  a  synopsis 
of  the  evils  which  his  nation  endured  in  consequence  of  their 
alliance  with  the  whites,  and  which  invariably  attended  the  unna- 
tural contact  of  civili/ed  and  savage  men. 

Corn  Plant  was  one  of  the  parties  to  the  treaty  at  Fort  Stanwix, 
in  1781,  when  a  large  cession  of  territory  was  made  by  the 
Indians;  at  the  treaty  of  Fort  Ilarmer,  five  years  afterwards,  he 
took  the  lead  in  conveying  an  immense  tract  of  countrv  to  the 
American  government,  and  became  so  unpopular  that  his  life  was 
threatened  by  his  incensed  tribe.  But  this  chief,  and  those  who 
acted  with  him,  were  induced  to  make  these  liberal  concessions  by 
motives  of  sound  policy;  for  the  Six  Nations  having  fought  on  the 
royal  side  during  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  the  British  govern- 
ment having  recognized  our  independence,  and  signed  a  peace, 
without  stipulating  for  her  misguided  allies,  they  were  wholly  at  our 
mercy.  In  an  address  sent  to  tlie  President  of  the  United  States, 
in  1790,  by  Corn  Plant,  Half  Town,  and  Dig  Tree,  we  find  the 
following  remarks  in  allusion  to  these  treaties: 

'^Father: — We  will  not  conceal  from  you  that  the  Great  Spirit, 
and  not  men,  has  preserved  Corn  Plant  from  the  hands  of  his  own 


98 


BIOGllAPIIY. 


nation,  for  thoy  ask  contimially,  'wliorc  is  llic  IiiikI  upon  Avliieli  our 
children,  and  llicir  children  al'ti'r  tlieni,  arc  to  lie  down?  You  told 
us  that;  the  line  drawn  IVoni  Pennsylvania  to  Lake  Ontario  -would 
mark  it  lor  ever  on  the  east,  and  the  line  runninu  from  Beaver 
Creek  to  rennsylvania  would,  mark  it  on  the  west,  and  wo  sec  it  is 
not  so;  f  r,  first  one  corncs,  and  then  another,  and  takes  it  awav,  by 
order  of  lliat  p  oph;  \\hich  yon  ti^U  us  promised  to  secure  it  to  us.' 
He  is  silent,  for  he  has  nothing  to  answer.  \\'hen  the  sm\  goes 
down  he  opens  his  heart  before  the  (Jreat  Spirit,  and  earlier  than 
the  sun  ajipears  a'j^ain  upon  the  hills,  ]\v  gives  thanks  for  his  protec- 
tion during  the  night;  for  he  feels  that  among  men  become  desperate 
by  the  injuries  they  have  sustained,  it  is  God  only  that  can  protect 
him." 

In  his  reply  to  this  address.  President  AVashington  remarked: — 
"The  merits  of  Corn  Plant,  and  his  fritMidship  for  the  United  States, 
are  well  known  to  me,  and  shall  not  be  forgotten;  and  as  a  mark  of 
the  esteem  of  the  United  States,  I  have  directed  the  Secretary  of 
War  to  make  him  a  present  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  either 
in  money  or  goods,  as  the  Corn  Plant  shall  like  best." 

It  would  be  tedious  to  pursue  the  history  of  this  chief  through 
the  various  vicissitudes  of  his  life.  Ilis  reputation  as  a  warrior  was 
gained  previous  to  the  American  revolution,  and  during  that  war. 
Shortly  after  that  struggle,  the  lands  reserved  for  the  Scnecas 
became  surrounded  b)'  the  settlements  of  the  American  people,  so 
as  to  leave  them  no  occasion  nor  ojiportunity  for  hostilities  A\itii 
other  tribes.  In  his  efforts  to  preserve  peace  with  his  powerful 
neighbors.  Corn  Plant  incurred,  alternately,  the  suspicion  of  both 
parties — the  whites  imputing  to  him  a  secret  agency  in  the  depre- 
dations of  lawless  individtials  of  his  nation,  while  the  Senecas  have 
sometimes  become  jealous  of  his  apparent  fame  with  the  whiles,  and 
regarded  him  as  a  i)cnsionary  of  their  oppressors.  His  covu'sc, 
however,  has  been  pnident  ami  consistent,  and  his  influence  very 
great 


CORN    PLANT. 


0!) 


lie  resided  on  tlio  banks  of  tlic  Alleghany  river,  a  few  miles 
below  its  jnnetion  with  tlic  Connowango,  upon  a  Iniet  of  fine  land, 
\\  ithin  Uie  limits  of  Pennsylvania,  and  not  far  from  the  line  lietween 
that  state  and  New  York.  lie  owned  lliirteen  hundred  acres  of 
land,  of  which  six  hundred  were  comprehended  within  the  villago 
occnpied  by  his  people.  A  considerable  portion  of  the  remainder 
he  cultivated  as  a  farm,  which  was  toleral)ly  well  stocked  with 
horses,  cattle,  and  hogs.  Many  of  his  people  cultivated  the  soil, 
and  evinced  signs  of  industry.  Tlie  chief  favored  the  Christian 
religion,  and  welcomed  those  who  came  to  teach  it.  lie  lived  in 
simple  style,  surrounded  with  plenty,  and  practising  a  rude  hospi- 
tality, while  iiis  sway  was  kind  and  patriarchal. 

In  1815,  a  missionary  society  had,  at  his  earnest  solicitation, 
establislied  a  school  at  his  village,  which  at  that  time  promised 
success.  We  arc  not  aware  that  any  permauent  results  were 
attained  by  the  eflbrt. 

Corn  Plant  imbil)ed,  in  the  feebleness  of  age,  the  superstition  of 
the  less  intellectual  of  his  race.  Ilis  conscience  reproached  him  for 
his  fricndsliip  towards  the  whites,  and  in  a  moment  of  alarm,  fancy- 
ing that  the  G  reat  Spirit  had  commanded  him  to  destroy  all  evidence 
of  his  connection  with  the  enemies  of  his  race,  he  burned  an 
elegant  sword  and  other  articles  which  he  had  received  as  presents. 
A  favorite  son,  who  had  been  carefully  educated  at  one  of  our 
schools,  became  a  drunkard,  adding  another  to  the  many  discourag- 
ing instances  in  which  a  similar  result  has  attended  the  attempt 
to  educate  the  Indian  j'outh.  When,  therefore,  the  aged  chief  was 
m-ged  to  send  his  younger  sons  to  school,  he  declined,  remarking, 
in  broken  English,  "It  entirely  spoil  Indian.'.' 

Corn  Plant  died  on  his  reservation  on  the  Alleghany  river,  .some 
time  in  the  winter  of  1830 — supposed  to  have  been  over  ninety 
years  old.  Ilis  Indian  name  was  Ki-on-twog-ky.  The  likeness  we 
have  given  of  him  was  taken  in  New  York,  about  the  year  1788, 
and  when  the  original  is  supposed  to  have  been  in  his  forty-eighth 


100 


BIOGRAPHY. 


year.  It  wns  intended  for  some  friend  of  the  Indians,  in  London, 
but  Caplaiii  M'Dontrall,  who,  at  tliat  time,  conuiianded  a  merchant 
ship,  bctwceu  lMiila(l('l|)hia  and  Livrrjiool,  and  who  was  1o  liave 
roMveycd  it  to  Liverpool,  sailing  without  it,  the  portrait  fell  into  the 
hands  of  Timothy  Matlock,  Esq.,  who  cherished  it,  not  only  because 
of  its  admirable  and  close  resemblance  to  the  original,  but  because 
he  was  indebted  to  Corn  Plant  for  his  life.  At  his  death  the 
portrait  was  still  cherished  by  his  daughter.  It  was  from  that 
original  the  copy  before  the  reader  was  taken. 


CAATOUSEE. 


It  is,  perhaps,  not  to  be  regretted,  tliat  some  of  the  portraits  con- 
tamed  in  our  gallery,  are  thos(s  of  persons  of  little  repute;  for, 
although  many  of  llie  biograpliies  may,  on  tliis  account,  be  less 
interesting  in  themselves,  a  greater  variety  of  the  aspects  of  the 
Indian  character  will,  on  the  whole,  be  presented  to  our  readers. 

The  wandcriug  savages  who  inhal)it  the  sterile  and  inliospitablo 
shores  of  the  northern  lakes,  arc  the  most  miserable  and  degraded 
of  the  native  tribes.  Exposed  to  the  greatest  extremities  of  climate, 
and  forced  by  their  situatiou  to  spend  the  greater  portion  of  their 
lives  in  ol)taining  a  wretched  subsistence,  they  have  little  ambition, 
and  few  ideas,  which  extend  to  the  supply  of  their  most  immediate 
and  pressing  wants.  The  region  which  they  hdiabit  affords  but 
little  game;  and  when  the  lakes  are  frozen,  and  the  land  covered 
with  deep  snow,  there  arc  seasons  in  which  scarcely  any  living 
animal  can  be  found,  but  the  wretched  tenant  of  the  wigwam, 
whose  hal)itual  improvidence  has  prevented  him  from  laying  iip 
any  store  for  the  winter.  Lingering  at  the  spot  of  his  temporary 
residence  until  the  horrors  of  starvation  press  him  to  instant  exer- 
tion, he  must  then  lly  to  some  distant  region,  to  which  the  wild 
animals  of  the  plain,  with  a  truer  instinct,  have  already  retreated, 
or  seek  a  sheltered  haunt  where  he  may  subsist  by  fishing.  Many 
perish  during  these  long  journeys,  or  are  doomed  to  disappointment 
on  reaching  the  place  of  their  destination,  and  thus  they  drag  out, 
month  after  month,  their  weary  existence,  in  the  eager  search  for 

food. 

(101) 


■~] 


l(V2 


lUOCKAl'IIY. 


We  know  not  lin-,/  the  iiuUviduul  before  us  came  to  bo  designated 
by  llie  nume  atUichcd  to  the  portrait.  Tlac  true  name  is  A-(iua-o-da, 
which  sioiiifies  Crcrping  out  of  the  Water,  llis  usual  residence  is 
I. a  I'oinU',  or  Shagoiniclvoong,  upon  Lake  Superior.  He  is  a  person 
of  lilllc  repute,  either  with  white  or  red  men.  He  is  too  idle  to 
luuit,  and  lias  no  name  as  a  warrior ;  nor  is  liis  character  good  in 
oilier  rcsiiects.  lie  is,  however,  an  e.vpert  fisherman  and  canocman, 
in  whicli  eapiieity  he  is  occasionally  employed  by  the  tnulers.  lie 
lias  never  advanced  any  pretensions  to  ehieftainship,  except  to  be  a 
chief  among  the  dancers,  and  in  his  profuse  use  of  paints  and  orna- 
ments. 


xAIENAWA. 


This  chief  is  a  lialf-Muoded  Creek,  of  the  Oakfuskeo  towns, 
wiiicli  lie  oil  the  Tallapoosa  river,  in  Alai)Uiiia,  Iw  was  formerly 
I  illed  Ilolhlepoya,  or  Tlie  crazy  >rar  hunter,  in  con.-;c  jiiencc  of  his 
(larini^  feats  as  a  marauder  upon  the  frontiers  ol  Tennessee,  at  an 
(^arly  period  in  the  settlement  of  that  state,  llewuh  in  the  habit 
of  passing  over  annually  to  the  Cumberland  river,  fti  the  pnri)ose 
i.f  >li  .iling  horses,  or,  as  the  fierce  clansmen  of  Scdland  would  have 
])hrased  it,  driving  caltlo.  The  great  m-xleru  novelist  has  desig- 
nated treason  as  a  gentlemanly  crime,  and  border  warriors,  of 
whatever  race,  have,  in  like  manner,  considered  the  occui)ation  of 
transferring  each  other's  horses,  either  by  stealth  or  violence,  as  a 
reputable  martial  employment.  llothlcpoya  was  widely  known 
and  feared  by  the  new  settlers  along  the  bor  ler,  as  a  bold  and  suc- 
cessful adept  in  this  species  of  warfare,  which  he  practised  m  itli  the 
least  possible  breach  of  the  public  jjcacc — seldom  shedding  blood 
if  unresisted,  but  fighting  with  desperation  when  opposed.  Various 
are  the  adventures  attributed  ti  him  while  thus  engaged,  in  some 
of  which  lie  is  represented  as  punsuing  his  object  with  daring 
audacity,  and  in  others  obfaining  it  by  ingenious  trickery.  On  one 
occasion, 

"As  bursts  the  levin  in  its  wrath, 
lie  shot  him  down  llie  winding  path. 
]tock,  wood  and  stream  rung  wildly  ont, 
To  his  loud  step  and  savage  sihout;" 

wliile  again  the  honest  farmer,  bereaved  of  his  noblest  steed,  sus- 
pected not  the  felonious  deed  until  the  crazij  irar  hunter  was  fur 

beyond  the  reach  of  pursuit. 

11  (103) 


104 


BIOGRAPHY. 


The  stories  told  of  this  individual  are  so  numerous  as  to  warrant 
t'i3  inference  that  his  celobritj  in  the  peculiar  species  of  horse- 
jockeyship  to  which  he  devoted  his  attention,  induced  those  mIio 
suH'cred  injury  at  his  hand  to  give  him  credit,  not  only  for  his  own 
exploits,  but  those  of  his  various  contemporaries,  as  the  Greeks 
attributed  to  their  deified  Hercules  the  deeds  of  numerous  heroes 
who  bore  that  name.  Some  of  these  adventures  are  too  marvellous 
to  be  readily  believed ;  man}',  that  seem  plausible  enough,  want 
confirmation,  and  but  few  have  reached  us,  in  detail,  in  such  an 
unquestionable  shape  as  to  Ije  worthy  of  repetition.  We  pass  them 
ov.>r,  therefore,  with  the  single  remark,  that  while  enough  is  known 
to  establish  the  character  of  Ilothlcpoya  as  an  adroit  and  bold  taker 
of  the  horses  of  his  civilized  neighbors,  we  are  unable  to  give  so 
minute  a  detail  of  these  enterprises  as  would  be  edifying  to  the 
public,  or  instructive  to  the  youthful  aspirant  after  similar  honors. 

One  incident  is  well  vouclied  for,  which  shows  that  our  marauder 
could  emulate  the  liberality  of  the  famous  Robin  Hood.  Returning 
once  from  a  successful  excursion,  he  fell  in  with  a  tired  pedestrian, 
trudging  along  the  trail  that  in  those  dtiys  led  from  Augusta  to  the 
Tombigbee.  The  latter  was  a  white  man,  who  had  lost  his  good 
nag;  whether,  like  Fitz  James, 


" (oiiclicd  with  pity  and  remorse, 

He  sorrowed  o'er  the  expiring  horse," 

we  arc  not  told,  but  we  learn  that  he  wa.s  on  foot,  in  a  cheerless 
wilderness,  with  no  other  companion  than  a  hoiind,  who, 

"  With  drooping  tail  and  humble  crest," 

followed  the  fallen  fortunes  of  his  master.  Had  Ilothlepoya 
encountered  this  traveller  mounted  upon  a  good  horse,  the  proba- 
bility is  that  he  would,  either  by  stratagem  or  force,  have  despoiled 
him  of  the  animal.  As  it  was  he  gave  him  a  fine  steed,  worth  two 
hundred  dollars,  which  he  had  just  stolon  at  the  hazard  of  his  life, 


MENAWA. 


103 


and  received  in  exchange  the  stranger's  hound — not  as  an  equiva- 
lent, for  the  dog  was  of  little  value,  but  as  a  something  to  stand  in 
place  of  the  horse,  and  to  be  shown  as  a  trophy  on  his  return  home. 
The  acquisitive  propensity  of  so  heroic  a  person  is  not  excited  by 
the  value  of  the  thing  stolen,  but  by  the  glory  of  the  capture. 

When  Tecunithe  visited  the  southern  Indians,  about  the  year 
1811,  for  the  pvirpose  of  endeavoring  to  unite  them  with  the  northern 
tribes  in  a  general  conspiracy  against  the  whites,  the  subject  of  this 
notice  was  second  cliief  of  the  Oakfuskce  towns,  and  had  acquired 
the  name  of  Mcuawa,  which  mens,  T/ie  Great  Warrior;  and  the 
])olitic  Sliawanoe  leader  distinguished  him  as  one  of  those  whose 
co-operation  would  be  necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  pur- 
pose.  lie  made  a  special  visit  to  Monawa,  and  formally  communis 
cated  his  plan,  in  a  set  speech,  artfully  framed  to  foment  the  latent 
hatr(!d  of  the  Creek  chief  towards  the  whites,  and  to  awaken  the 
ambition  which  he  well  knew  must  form  a  prominent  feature  in  a 
character  so  daring  and  restless.  Menawa  heard  his  illustrious 
visitor  with  deep  attention,  for  he  loved  war,  and  was  not  unwilling 
to  strike  the  pale  faced  enemy  of  his  race.  War  is  always  a  populai 
measure  among  the  Indians,  and  the  chiefs  readily  indulge  theii 
followers  in  a  propensity  that  diverts  their  attention  from  domestic 
affairs,  and  kcej)s  up  the  habit  of  subordination  in  these  wild  and 
factious  bands,  who  are  at  all  times  ruled  with  difficulty,  but  more 
especially  when  peace  brings  its  season  of  idleness,  intemperance, 
and  license.  Another  reason  which,  doubtless,  had  a  powerful  though 
secret  influence  upon  the  mind  of  the  (.)nl--f'^skee  chief,  was  his 
jeiilousy  of  the  growing  power  of  Mcintosh,  »vhoin  he  disliked,  and 
who  was  known  lo  favor  the  whites.  A  murder  had  recently  beei« 
committed  upon  some  white  men,  in  the  direction  of  the  Oakfusk(!0 
towiif  in  revenge  for  which  the  people  of  Georgia,  charging  the 
crime  upon  Menawa's  band,  had  burned  one  of  his  villages.  It  was 
secretly  rumored,  and  believed  by  Menawa,  that  Mcintosh,  who 
feared  to  attnck  him  opeidy,  and  perhaps  luul  no  plausible  pretence 


106 


BIOGRAPHY. 


for  a  public  rupture  with  his  rival,  had  instigated  the  murder,  and 
had  then  caused  it  to  be  charged  to  the  Oakfuskce  baud,  for  the 
express  purpose  of  exposing  the  latter  to  the  vengeance  of  the  Geor- 
gians ;  and  he  was  soured  alike  at  the  whites  who  had  chastised  his 
people  without  a  cause,  and  at  Mcintosh,  who  was  the  supposed 
author  of  the  injury.  The  proposed  war  had,  therefore,  the  Jiddi- 
tional  recommendation,  that  as  Mcintosh  would  most  probably  join 
the  whites,  he  would  be  converted  from  a  secret  enemy,  ])rotected 
by  rank  and  position,  into  an  open  foe,  leagued  with  the  oppressors 
of  his  race. 

We  have  already  spoken  of  the  Creek  war,  and  we  now  recur  to 
it  to  detail  the  part  acted  by  Menawa,  who  engaged  in  it  with 
great  alacrity.  Although  he  was  the  second  chief  of  his  band,  his 
reputation  for  valor  and  military  skill  placed  him  foremost  on  occa- 
sions when  danger  tlueatened,  or  when  enterprise  wafj  required. 
The  principal  chief  was  a  medicine  man,  who  relied  more  on  his 
incantations  than  upon  the  rifle  or  tomahawk — a  peaceable  person, 
who  probably  inherited  his  station,  and  owed  his  elevation  to  good 
blood  rather  than  a  meritorious  character.  He  wore  around  his 
body  a  number  of  gourds,  containing  the  herbs  and  other  articles 
which  constituted  his  medicine,  and  which  he  believed  had  power 
to  repel  the  bullets  of  the  enemy,  to  preserve  his  own  life,  i  >d  give 
success  to  his  party.  Menawa,  though  a  man  of  vigorous  in.  Uect, 
was  slightly  infected  with  the  superstition  of  his  people,  ano  im 
habit  venerated  the  character  of  his  chief;  but  the  miracles  wh.  l 
were  said  to  have  followed  the  visit  of  Tecumthe,  and  which  we 
alluded  to  elsewhere,  so  far  outshone  the  gourds  of  the  Oakfuskce 
juggler,  as  to  create  some  little  contempt,  and  perhaps  distrust 
towards  the  spells  of  the  latter.  But  the  faith  of  the  principal 
chief  only  waxed  stronger  and  stronger,  and  he  continued  to  juggle 
without  intermission,  and  to  prophesy  with  confidence,  while  the 
Indians,  partaking  of  his  fanaticism,  generally  believed  in  him,  and 
relied  upon  his  power. 


MENAWA. 


107 


Thus  incited  by  the  blind  zeal  of  fanaticism,  added  to  the  many 
existing  causes  of  hatred  against  the  whites,  and  to  the  belief  that 
a  general  war  to  be  waged  under  supernatural  guidance  was  about 
to  aflbrd  the  opportunity  for  aini)lc  revenge,  the  Creeks  proceeded 
m  earnest  to  actual  hostilities.  We  pass  over  a  number  of  engage- 
ments that  occurred  in  this  war,  in  several  of  whicli  Menawa  acted 
a  leading  part,  sparing  our  readers  from  the  mere  details  of  blood- 
shed, which  could  afford  them  but  little  interest,  and  passing  on  to 
the  great  battle  of  the  Horseshoe,  wherein  it  was  the  fate  of  this 
chief  to  act  and  suffer  as  became  the  military  head  of  a  gahant 
people.  The  scene  of  this  disastrous  conflict  has  already  been 
described  in  another  part  of  our  work ;  and  we  shall  only  repeat 
here,  that  the  Indians  were  posted  on  a  small  tongue  of  land,  sur- 
rounded by  tlie  river  Tallapoosa  on  all  'sides  but  one,  where  it  was 
joined  to  the  main  land  by  a  narrow  isthmus,  across  which  they  had 
thrown  a  strong  breastwork  of  logs.  Tlie  Oakfuskeo  proplict,  after 
performing  certain  incantations,  informed  his  followers  that  the 
impending  assault  ^\•oul(l  be  made  in  the  rear  of  their  position, 
which  was  swept  by  the  river;  and  by  presumptuously  assuming 
to  predict  the  plan  which  would  be  adopted  by  his  enemy,  uninten- 
tionally misled  the  Indians,  \\ho,  instead  of  trusting  to  their  own 
natural  sagacity,  arranged  tlieir  defences  in  reference  to  an  imagi- 
nary j)lan  of  assault.  General  Jackson,  who,  to  an  inflexible  firm- 
ness of  purpose,  united  a  vigorous  judgment,  perceived  the  im- 
pregnable nature  of  the  points  the  Indians  had  prepared  to  defend, 
and  conceived  the  bold  as  well  as  judicious  step  of  assading  the 
breastwork  that  extended  across  tlic  isthmus.  The  movement  of 
the  American  General  was  so  ra])id,  that  ils  object  was  not  disco- 
vered until  his  cannon  were  planted  in  front  of  the  intreuchment. 
But  when  the  battery  was  opened  upon  this  point,  when  the  Ten- 
ncssceans  were  seen  rushing  forward  with  impetuous  valor,  and  it 
was  discovered  that  the  main  force  of  the  American  army  was 
about  to  be  precipitated  upon  the  breastwork,  Menawa,  enraged  at. 


108 


BIOGRAPHY 


his  chief,  whose  juggling  hml  betrayed  the  Indians  'nto  a  fatal 
error,  flew  at  the  unfortunate  prophet,  ;ind,  aided  by  others  alike 
incensed,  slew  him  \ipon  the  spot.  lie  then  placed  himself  at  the 
liead  of  the  Oakfuskee  braves,  and  those  of  the  neighboring  towns, 
and  uttering,  witli  a  voice  of  unusual  compass,  a  tremendous  war- 
whoop,  leaped  the  breastwork  and  tlu'cw  himself  in  the  midst  ot 
the  assailants.  A  Greek  or  Roman  leader,  who  had  thus  slain  his 
chief,  assumed  the  command,  and  abandoning  the  shelter  of  his 
fortifications,  plnngcd  into  the  thickest  ranks  of  the  enemy,  to  con- 
quer or  die  for  liis  people,  would  have  been  immortalized  in  clixssic 
story;  while  in  the  American  savage  such  conduct  will  only  be 
remembered  as  among  the  evidences  of  the  extraordinary  ferocity 
of  his  race. 

The  comrades  of  Menawa  followed  him  into  the  battle,  and 
fought  at  liis  side  with  desperate  valor,  until  nearly  all  were  slain, 
and  he  fell  wounded  by  seven  balls.  Tlie  whole  fight  was  of  llie 
most  desperate  character.  The  waters  of  the  Tallapoosa  river  were 
red  with  blood.  The  ferocity  with  which  the  Indians  fought  may 
be  attributed  in  part  to  their  custom  of  not  suffering  themselves  to 
be  taken  as  prisoners,  while  thoir  position  cut  them  o(T  from  retreat, 
and  still  more  perhaps  to  the  iaci  that  the  ground  of  the  Ilonseslioe 
was  a  consecrated  spot,  where  they  considered  themselves  protccteil 
by  friendly  spirits,  and  were  nerved  to  desperation  by  a  faith  Uke 
that  which  excites  the  frantic  valor  of  the  Mahometan.  Of  nine 
hundred  warriors  led  into  that  sanguinary  fight  by  Menawa,  only 
seventy  survived,  and  one  only,  who  fled  at  tlie  first  discharge  of 
cannon,  escaped  unwounded.  * 

When  the  storm  of  the  battle  suljsided,  Menawa  remained  on 
tlie  field,  lying  in  a  heap  of  the  sbiin,  devoid  of  consciou.sness. 
Recovering  his  senses,  he  found  himself  weltering  in  blood,  with  his 
gun  firmly  grasped  in  his  hand.  The  battle  had  ceased,  or  swept 
by,  but  straggling  shots  announced  that  the  work  of  death  was  not 
over.     Raising  liimself  slowly  to  a  sitting  posture,  ho  perceived  a 


MEN  AW  A. 


109 


lot 

•A 


soldier  passing  near  him,  whom,  with  a  dehberate  aim,  he  shot,  but 
at  the  same  moment  received  a  severe  wound  from  a  bullet,  whicli, 
entering  his  cheek  near  the  ear,  and  carrying  away  several  of  his 
teeth,  passed  out  on  llic  opposite  side  of  the  face.  Again  he  fell 
among  the  dead,  ri'taining,  however,  so  much  of  life  as  to  feel  the 
victors  trejitling  upon  his  body  as  they  passed  over  it,  su])posing 
hitn  to  be  slain.  When  night  came  he  felt  revived,  and  the  love  of 
life  grew  strong  in  him.  lie  crawled  cautiously  to  the  bank  of  the 
river,  and  descending  to  its  margin,  found  a  canoe,  which  lie  entered, 
and,  by  shaking  it  from  side  to  side,  loosed  it  from  the  shore.  Tlie 
canoe  floated  down  the  river  until  it  reached  the  neighborhood  i:f 
a  swamp  at  Elkahatchee,  where  the  Indian  women  and  children  had 
been  secreted  previous  to  the  battle.  Some  of  these  wretched 
beings,  who  were  anxiously  looking  out  for  intelligence  from  the 
scene  of  action,  espied  the  canoe,  and  upon  going  to  it,  discovered 
the  mangled  chief  lying  nearly  insensible  in  its  bottom. 

Menawa  was  removed  to  a  place  of  rendezvous  which  had  been 
appointed  on  the  Elkahatchee  creek,  where  he  was  joined  by  the 
unhappy  survivors  of  that  dreadfid  battle.  For  the  purpose  of 
brooding  over  their  grief,  mourning  for  the  dead,  and  deciding  upon 
tile  measures  necessary  to  be  adopted  in  consequence  of  the  recent 
(lis;uster,  a  silent  council  was  held,  that  lasted  three  days,  during 
which  time  these  moody  warriors  neither  ate  nor  drank,  nor  per- 
mitted their  wounds  to  be  dressed.  At  the  expiration  of  the  third 
day  it  was  determined  that  the  Indians  should  return  to  their  respect- 
ive homes,  submit  to  the  victors,  and  each  man  make  his  own  peace 
as  best  he  might.  Their  wounds  were  then  dressed  by  the  women, 
M'lio  usually  ofliciate  as  surgeons,  as  did  the  ladies  of  Europe  in  the 
days  of  chivalry.  The  Indians  are  said  to  dis})lay,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, a  remarkable  tenacity  of  life,  and  to  recover  rapidly 
from  the  eflects  of  the  most  serious  wounds,  in  conse(iuonce  proba- 
bly of  their  active  and  abstemious  habits,  rather  than  of  the  absence 
of  physicians.     They  soon  dispersed,  and  all  of  them  surrendi-red 


no 


BIOGRAPHY. 


formiilly  to  the  American  authorities,  except  Menawa,  whose 
wounds  prevented  him  from  leaving  his  retreat  until  after  the  close 
of  tlie  war.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  travel  he  sought  his  homo, 
at  the  Oakfuskee  towns,  but  found  neither  shelter  nor  proj)erty. 
The  desolating  hand  of  war  had  swept  all  away.  Before  the  break- 
ing out  of  hostilities,  Menawa  was  among  the  richest  of  the  Indians 
of  the  upper  towns.  Like  many  of  his  nation,  of  the  mixed  blood, 
he  had  partially  adopted  the  habits  of  the  wliite  man,  keeping  large 
herds  of  cattle,  which  he  exchanged  for  merchandise,  and  bartering 
tlie  latter  with  his  own  people  for  the  products  of  the  cliase.  lie 
had  ouliroly  abandoned  the  predatory  haljits  of  his  early  life,  was 
the  owner  of  a  store,  and  of  more  than  a  thousand  head  of  cattle, 
an  etjual  number  of  hogs,  and  several  hundred  horses.  He  c.irried 
on  a  brisk  trade  with  Pensacola,  and  was  known  to  load,  at  one  time, 
a  hundred  horses  with  furs  and  peltries.  Like  the  famous  Rob 
Roy,  he  was  by  turns  a  chieftain,  a  drover,  and  a  marauder,  a  high 
mettled  warrior,  and  a  crafty  trader;  and  like  him,  his  propensity 
for  war  was  luifortunately  stronger  rhan  his  prudence.  All  his 
etarnings  were  now  destroyed.  He  found  his  village  burned ;  not  a 
vestige  remained  of  all  his  property — horses,  cattle,  and  merchan- 
dise, h;id  alike  disappeared.  The  Oakfuskee  chief  was  as  poor  a.s 
the  most  abject  individual  of  his  band,  and  has  lived  in  poverty 
ever  since  that  fatal  campaign.  He  could  never  be  prevailed  upon 
afterwards  to  revisit  the  battle-ground  at  the  Horseshoe.  It  is 
Ijelieved  that  he  entertained  a  superstitious  dread  of  the  spot,  at 
which  he  supposed  a  malign  influence  existed,  fatally  hostile  to  his 
people  and  himself  This  is  not  improbable,  and  is  entirely  con- 
sistent with  the  Indian  character.  But  this  aversion  may  be  attri- 
oiited  to  a  more  natural  cause.  Men  of  high  spirit  are  liable  to  strong 
prejudices  and  ob.stinate  antipathies,  and  Menawa  may  have  felt  an 
unconqueral)le  reluctance  to  revisit  a  spot  so  replete  with  humiliat- 
ing recollections — the  scene  of  signal  defeat  and  mortification  to 
himself  as  a  man  and  as  a  chieftain.     Napoleon,  bereft  of  imperial 


MEN  AW  A. 


Ill 


power,  would  have  tiikeu  no  pleasure  in  retracing  the  road  to 
Moscow. 

Menawa  rogainod  his  health,  reassumed  his  authority  over  the 
remnant  of  the  Oakfuskce  band,  and  hccame  an  influential  person 
in  the  Creek  nation.  In  the  conflict  of  opinion  Avhich  for  many 
years  distracted  this  luifortunate  people,  he  acted  with  those  who 
resisted  the  encroachments  of  the  whites,  refused  to  sanction  further 
cessions  of  territory,  and  opposed  every  measure  which  would  lead 
to  the  compulsory  emigration  of  his  people.  McInto.sh,  as  we  have 
seen,  espoused  the  ojiposite  side,  and  when  lliat  chief  was  sentenced 
to  death  for  having  signed  a  treaty  of  cession  in  violation  of  the 
known  wishes  of  the  majority,  INIenawa  was  selected  to  execute  the 
fatal  decree.  Between  these  leaders  there  had  never  e.vi  .ted  any 
friendly  feeling,  nor  is  it  supposed  that  Mcnawa  would  have  been 
seduced  into  the  imprudent  measure  of  taking  up  arms  asainst  the 
American  government,  but  for  tlie  spirit  of  rivalry  mutually  enter- 
tained, and  tlie  belief  of  the  one  that  he  had  been  deeply  injured  by 
the  other.  The  knowledge  of  these  facts,  as  well  as  their  confidence 
in  the  firmness  and  bravery  of  Menawa,  may  have  led  the  Creeks 
to  select  him  as  the  executioner  of  their  sentence.  He  at  first 
declined  the  ofiicc,  and  requested  the  council  to  intrust  it  to  a  more 
impartial  hand  ;  but  that  body  adliering  to  their  choice,  he  accepted 
the  trust,  and  discharged  it  in  the  manner  we  shall  relate  in  our 
sketch  of  Mcintosh. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  vas  one  of  the  delegation  sent  by  the 
Creeks  to  Wasliington,  in  1 820,  to  remonstrate  against  the  treaty  of 
the  Indian  Springs,  and  to  cfi"ect  some  compromise  wh>h  sho  I'd 
(luiet  the  troubles  that  preceded  and  ensued  the  deatli  of  Mcintosh. 
Ilis  conduct  on  that  occasion  was  calm  and  dignified,  and  the  force 
of  his  character  was  felt  in  all  the  negotiations  which  took  place  at 
the  seat  of  government.  lie  was  decidedly  opposed  to  the  emigra- 
tion of  the  entire  Creek  people,  but  was  willing  to  sell  the  country, 

reserving  certain  lands  to  be  parcelled  out  to  such  individuals  as 
15 


112 


15I0GIIAPIIY. 


might  choose  to  remain,  to  be  held  by  them  scvenilly  in  fee  simple. 
]\y  this  plan  the  entire  sovereignty  and  jurisdiction  of  tlie  country 
vvonld  have  been  yielded,  tlie  Creeks  as  a  nation  would  have  re 
tained  nothing,  but  any  individual  choosing  to  continue  within  the 
ceded  territory,  would  have  had  a  tract  of  land'  granted  to  hin\  in 
perpetuity,  wliicli  he  would  hold  under  the  state  government.  None 
would  have  accepted  tlicse  conditions  but  such  as  proposed  to  sid)- 
sist  Ijy  agriculture,,  or  some  of  the  kindred  arts,  and  were  willing  to 
submit  to  the  restraints  of  law.  The  untamed  Indian  who  preferred 
his  owni  savage  mode  of  life,  woidd  have  sought  a  home  more  con 
genial  to  his  taste  in  the  forests  and  prairies  of  the  West.  This  jjlan 
is  more  consonant  with  justice  tiian  any  other  that  has  been  sug- 
gested; wlietlier  it  would  liave  satisfied  tlie  ])Oople  of  Georgia,  or 
have  ultimately  promoted  the  happijiess  of  the  Indians,  we  do  not 
pretend  to  decide.  Failing  in  this  proposition,  he  succeeded  in 
getting  a  provision  inserted  in  tlie  tri-aty,  by  which  it  was  agreed 
that  patents  should  be  issued  after  five  years  to  such  Indians  as 
might  choose  to  occupy  land.  As  it  turned  out,  eventually,  this 
provision  afforded  no  benefit  to  him,seif,  for,  by  an  arbitrary  mode 
adopted  of  making  the  allotment,  the  tract  on  which  he  had  resided — 
his  ho}ne — was  given  to  another,  and  the  land  offered  to  himself  not 
being  acceptable,  he  sold  it  and  purchased  other  land  in  Alabama. 

INIenawa  was  not  only  brave  and  skdful,  but  was  a  gentleman  in 
appearance  and  manners.  Although  he  was  a  savage  in  the  field, 
or  in  the  revel,  he  could  at  any  moment  assume  the  dignity  and 
courtesy  proper  to  his  high  station.  Not  long  after  his  return  from 
Washington,  a  gentleman,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  some  of  the 
incidents  ri>latcd  in  this  memoir,  called  upon  this  chief  He  found  him 
surrounded  by  his  liravcs,  engaged  in  a  deep  carouse;  but  Menawa 
had  too  much  tact  to  receive  iiis  visitor  under  such  circumstances. 
As  the  gentleman  approached  the  house  in  which  the  Indians  were 
carousing,  he  was  met  by  an  aid  of  tlie  chief,  who  directed  him  to 
another  house,  where  he  was  requested  to  remain  until  the  next 


MENAVVA. 


113 


morning.  The  hint  was  taken.  In  the  morning  early  Mcnawa 
was  soon  approaching  well  inounlod,  and  in  llio  full  iniiform  of  a 
general  oflicer,  from  ehapcau  1o  spur.s — being  the  dress  presented  to 
him  at  Wasliington  at  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty.  At  the  cioor  of 
llie  liousc  at  whicli  his  visitor  was  lodged  ho  reined  up  his  steed, 
iind  gracefully  dismounted.  Advancing  with  his  chapeau  under 
his  arm,  and  bowing  to  the  stranger,  he  desired  to  know  the  busi- 
ness of  the  latter  which  luid  induced  his  call.  Being  informed,  he 
said  promptly,  "  1  am  now  engaged  Avith  my  people  in  a  frolic.  I 
must  return  to  them,  but  will  see  you  to-morrow,  and  attend  to  your 
business."  Whereupon  he  remounted,  bowed,  and  galloped  off. 
Punctual  to  his  promise,  he  returned  on  the  following  morning,  and 
adjusted  the  matter  of  business. 

Notwithstanding  the  hostility  of  Mcnawa  towards  tlie  whites,  and 
the  injuries  he  had  received,  he  remained  inviolably  faithful  to  the 
treaty  he  had  made,  and  the  pacific  policy  to  which  he  w;i .  pledged. 
He  said  that,  when  at  Washington,  he  had  smoked  the  pipe  of  peace 
with  his  Great  Father,  and  had  buried  the  tomahawk  so  deep  that 
he  never  again  could  dig  it  up.  When,  therefore,  in  1S3G,  the  tem- 
jjorary  successes  of  the  Scminoles  kindled  a  contagious  spirit  of 
insurrection  among  the  Creeks,  Menawa  was  among  the  first  to 
tender  his  services  to  the  authorities  of  Alabama;  and  his  ofier 
l)eing  accepted,  he  collected  his  braves  and  led  them  to  the  field,  in 
combination  with  those  of  Opothle  Yoholo.  On  this  occasion  he 
was  dressed  in  a  fall  suit  of  American  uniform,  and  aifected  the 
conduct  of  a  civilized  leader,  whose  sole  object  was  to  prevent  the 
effusion  of  blood.  In  addition  to  his  own  services,  he  sent  his  oldest 
son  to  Florida  to  aid  in  the  defence  of  the  country  against  the 
Scminoles.  Under  these  circumstances  he  had  reason  to  expect 
that  lie  should  be  gratified  in  his  ardent  wish  to  spend  the  remnant 
of  his  days  in  his  native  land,  and  lay  his  bones  with  those  of  his 
forefathers.  He  paid  a  visit  to  the  Catawba  Indians,  in  North  Caro- 
lina, to  see  how  they  prospered  under  the  laws  of  that  state;  and 


Ill 


BIOGRAPHY. 


having  satisfied  liinisclf  that  tliero  was  no  insurmountable  objection 
to  such  a  mode  of  life,  used  every  exertion  to  be  excluded  from  the 
emigrating  party,  lie  was  at  List,  in  consideiaiiou  of  liis  recent 
services,  gratified  with  the  promise  of  being  permitted  to  remain. 
But  this  act  of  justice  had  scarcely  been  conceded  to  him  when,  by 
some  strange  uiadvertence,  or  want  of  faith,  he  was  ordered  to  join 
the  emigrating  camp.  We  hope  and  believe  that  this,  with  many 
other  wanton  acts  of  injustice  towiirds  the  Indians,  arc  not  chargeable 
to  our  government.  The  complicated  relations  with  the  tribes  are 
necessarily  intrusted  to  numerous  agents,  acting  far  from  the  seat 
of  government,  and  vested  with  discretionary  powers,  which  are  not 
always  discharged  in  good  faith ;  nor  is  it  easy  for  the  executive  to 
arrive  at  the  truth  iu  reference  to  such  transactions,  where  .some  of 
the  purtics  are  iiitcrcstod,  some  unprincipled,  and  the  majority  both 
lawless  and  illiten'te. 

On  the  eve  of  his  departure,  this  veteran  chief  said  to  a  liighly 
reputable  gentleman,  who  is  our  informant,  presenting  him  at  the 
same  time  with  his  portrait — a  copy  of  the  one  wliicli  accompanies 
this  sketch — "I  am  going  awn}'.  I  have  brought  you  this  jiicture — 
I  wish  you  to  take  it  and  hang  it  up  iu  your  house,  that  when  your 
children  look  at  it,  you  can  tell  them  what  I  have  been.  I  have 
always  found  you  true  to  mc,  but  great  as  my  regard  for  you  is,  I 
never  wish  to  see  you  in  that  new  country  to  which  I  am  going — 
for  when  I  cross  the  great  river,  my  desire  is  that  I  may  never  again 
see  tlie  face  of  a  white  man!" 

When  it  Avas  suggested  to  him  that  many  supposed  his  repug- 
nance against  emigrating  arose  from  the  apprehension  that  he  would 
meet  in  Arkansas  the  hostility  of  the  Mcintosh  party,  wlio  had  pre- 
ceded him,  he 'shook  his  head  and  said,  "They  do  not  know  me 
who  suppose  I  can  be  influenced  by  fear.  I  desire  peace,  but  wruld 
not  turn  my  back  on  danger.  I  know  there  will  be  blood  shed,  but 
I  am  not  afraid.  I  have  been  a  man  of  blood  all  my  life;  now  I  am 
old  and  wish  for  peace." 


MENAVVA. 


115 


Before  lie  took  a  final  leave  of  the  land  of  his  fathers,  he  request- 
ed permission  to  revisit  the  Oakfuskco  town,  which  iiad  been  his 
favorite  residence.  lie  remained  tliere  one  ni^ht.  The  next  morn- 
iiit,'-  lie  commenced  tlio  long  dreaded  journey  towards  the  place  of 
exile.  After  crossing  the  Tallapoosa  ho  seemed  for  some  time 
abstracted  and  unea.sy.  His  conduct  was  that  of  one  who  had  for- 
gotten something,  and  under  this  supposition  it  was  proposed  to  him 
to  return  for  the  purpose  of  correcting  the  omission.  But  ho  said, 
"No!  Last  evening  I  .saw  the  sun  set  for  the  last  time,  and  its 
light  shine  upon  the  tree  tops,  and  the  land,  and  the  water,  that  1 
am  never  to  look  upon  again.  No  other  evening  will  come,  bringing 
to  Menawa's  eyes  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun  upon  the  home  he 
lias  leftyb?"  ecerT 

The  portrait  of  this  distinguished  chief,  in  the  gallery  of  the  War 
Department,  which  wq  copy,  was  taken  in  182G,  when  ho  was  sup- 
posed to  be  about  sixty  years  of  age.  It  is  one  of  the  most  spirited 
of  the  works  of  that  gifted  artist.  King,  and  has  been  often  recog- 
nized by  Menawa's  countrymen,  who,  on  seeing  it,  have  exclaimed, 
"Menawa!"  and  then,  fired  by  the  remembrance  of  the  deeds  which 
gaineil  him  the  name  of  the  Great  Warrior,  they  have  gone  on  to 
recount  them.  If  this  extraordinary  person  be  yet  living,  he  is  f;ir 
from  his  native  land  and  all  the  scenes  of  a  long  and  most  eventful 
career,  and  is  forming  new  associations  at  a  period  of  life  beyond 
the  three  score  and  ten  allotted  to  man. 


KAll'OLIUlUA 


This  ilistingiiiMlird  warrior  is  the  chief  of  a  ilivisioii  of  llio 
Saukio  nation,  which  forms  part  of  a  singular  institution,  that,  so 
far  as  wo  know,  is  peculiar  to  that  people. 

The  warriors  of  the  Satikie  nation  are  divided  info  two  hands,  or 
parties,  one  of  which  is  called  Kishkof[uis,  or  the  Long  Hairs,  and 
llie  other  Oshmish,  or  the  brave;  tlio  former  heing  considertHl  as 
something  more  than  merely  brave.  In  1819  each  party  numbered 
al)ont  four  hundred  warriors;  in  182G  they  numbered  about  five 
lunidred  each,  but  have  not  increased  since  that  time.  The  Kisli- 
koquis,  or  Long  Hairs,  are  commanded  by  the  iiereditary  war  chief 
Keokuk,  whose  standard  is  red;  the  head  man  of  the  O.shcushies  is 
Kaipolcqna,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  whose  standard  is  blue.  The 
Long  Hairs  take  precedence  in  point  of  rank.  The  formation  of 
these  parties  is  a  matter  of  national  concern,  and  is  effected  by  a 
simi)le  arrangement.  The  first  male  child  who  is  born  to  a  Kish- 
koqui,  is  marked  with  white  paint,  the  distinguishing  color  of  the 
Kishkofjuis,  and  lielongs  to  that  party;  the  next  male  of  the  same 
funily  is  marked  with  l)lack  paint,  ami  is  attached  to  the  Osli- 
cushies,  and  .so  on  alternately — tlie  first  son  belonguig  to  the  same 
band  with  his  father,  and  the  others  being  assigned  in  turn,  first  to 
one  band,  and  then  to  tlie  other.  Thus  all  the  warriors  are  attached 
to  one  or  the  other  l)and,  and  the  division  is  as  nearly  equal  as  it 
could  bo  by  any  arrangement  commencing  with  infancy. 

Wlienever  the  whole  nation,  or  any  large  party  of  warriors,  turns 
out  to  engage  in  a  grand  hunt,  or  a  warlike  expedition,  or  for  the 

(117) 


118 


BIOGRAPHY. 


purpose  of  performing  sliam  battles,  or  ball  plays,  the  individuals 
belonging  to  the  two  bands  arc  distinguished  by  their  appropriate 
colors.  If  the  purpose  of  the  assemblage  is  for  sham  figliting,  or 
nther  diversion,  the  Kishkoquis  daub  their  bodies  all  over  with 
white  clay,  and  the  Oshcushics  blacken  themselves  with  charcoal; 
the  bands  are  ranged  under  their  respective  leaders,  and  play  against 
each  other,  rallying  under  the  red  and  blue  banners.  In  war  and 
hunting,  when  all  must  be  ranged  on  one  side,  the  white  and  black 
paints  are  mingled  with  other  colors,  so  ihat  the  distinction  is  kepi 
up,  and  after  the  close  of  the  expedition,  the  scalps,  plunder,  game, 
and  other  trophies  of  each  band  collectively,  are  compared,  and  the 
deeds  of  each  repeated. 

The  object  of  these  societies  vn\l  be  readily  seen.  They  form  a 
part  of  the  simple  machinery  of  a  military  government,  and  are 
founded  in  consummate  wisdom,  with  the  view  of  exciting  emula- 
tion, and  of  placing  every  warrior  in  the  nation  under  the  constant 
observation  of  all  the  others.  From  early  youth  each  individual  is 
taught  to  feel,  that,  wh.cther  engaged  in  war,  in  hunting,  or  in 
athletic  sports,  the  honor  of  his  band,  as  well  a.s  his  own,  is  con- 
cerned in  his  success  or  failure,  and  thus  a  sense  of  responsibility  is 
awakened  and  kept  alive,  which  has  all  the  moral  foice  of  a  constant 
and  rigid  discipline. 

Kaipolequa  attained  the  high  rank  of  leader  of  his  band  through 
his  military  abilities;  and  he  is  considered  as  one  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished braves  of  the  nation. 


TSHUSICK. 


A  PORTION  only  of  the  history  of  this  extraordinary  woman 
lias  reached  us.  Of  her  early  life  we  know  nothing;  but  the 
fragment  which  we  are  enabled  to  present,  is  sufficiently  indica- 
tive of  her  strongly  marked  character,  while  it  illustrates  with 
singular  felicity  the  energy  of  the  race  to  which  she  belongs 
In  tracing  the  peculiar  traits  of  the  Indian  character,  as  developed 
in  many  of  the  wild  adventures  related  of  them,  we  are  most 
forcibly  struck  with  the  boldness,  the  subtlety,  the  singleness  of 
purpose,  with  which  individuals  of  that  race  jilan  and  execute 
any  design  in  which  tliey  may  be  deeply  interested. 

The  youth  of  ancient  Persia  were  taught  to  speak  the  truth. 
The  le.s.son  of  infancy,  inculcated  with  equal  care  upon  the 
American  savage,  is,  to  keep  his  own  counsel,  and  he  learns  witli 
the  earliest  dawnings  of  reason  the  caution  wi:ich  teaches  him 
alike  to  deceive  his  foe,  and  to  guard  aga'.ist  the  imprudence  of 
his  friend  The  story  of  I'shnsick  sh  jws  that  she  possessed 
those  savage  qualities,  quickened  and  adorned  by  a  refinement 
seldom  found  in  any  of  her  race;  and  we  give  it  as  it  was 
cnmmunicaled  to  the  writer  by  the  gentleman  who  was  best 
acquainted  with  all  the  facts. 

In  the  Minter  of  1S2G-27,  on  a  cold  night,  when  the  snow 
was  lying  on  the  ground,  a  wretched,  ill-clad,  way-worn  female 
knocked  at  the  door  of  our  colleague.  Colonel  McKenney,  then 
Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  at  the  city  of  Washington.  She 
was  attended  by  a  Ijoy,  who  explained  tlie  manner  in  which  she 
10  (11!)) 


120 


BIOGRAPHY. 


had  been  directed  to  tlie  residence  of  Colonel  McKenney.  It 
seems  that,  mIhIc  wandering  through  the  streets  of  Georgetown,  in 
search  of  a  shelter  from  tlic  inclemency  of  tlie  weather,  she  was 
allured  by  the  blaze  of  a  furnace  in  the  shop  of  Mr.  Ilaller,  a  tin 
worker.  She  entered,  and  eagerly  approached  the  fire.  On  being 
asked  who  she  was,  she  replied,  that  she  was  an  Indian,  that  she 
was  cold  and  starving,  and  knew  not  where  to  go.  Mr.  Ilaller, 
supposing  that  Colonel  McKenney,  as  Commissioner  for  Indian 
AfHiirs,  was  bound  to  provide  for  all  of  that  nice  who  came  to  the 
seat  of  government,  directed  her  to  him,  and  sent  his  l)oy  to 
conduct  her.  On  this  representation  the  Colonel  invited  her  into 
his  house,  led  her  to  a  fire,  and  saw  before  him  a  young  woman, 
with  a  ragged  blanket  around  her  shoulders,  a  pair  of  man's  boots 
on  her  feet,  a  pack  on  her  back,  and  the  whole  of  her  meagre  and 
fdthy  attire  announcing  the  extreme  of  want.  She  described 
herself  to  be,  what  her  complexion  and  features  sufficiently 
indicated,  an  Indian,  and  stated  that  she  had  travelled  alone,  and 
on  foot,  from  Detroit.  In  reply  to  qi  stions  which  were  put  to 
her,  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  truth  of  her  story,  she  named 
several  gentlemen  who  resided  at  that  place,  described  their  houses, 
and  mentioned  circumstances  in  reference  to  their  families  which 
were  known  to  be  correct.  She  then  proceeded,  with  a  self- 
possession  of  maimer,  and  an  ease  and  Ihiency  of  language  that 
surprised  those  who  heard  her,  to  narrate  the  cause  of  her  solitary 
journey.  She  said  she  had  recently  lost  her  husband,  to  whom 
she  was  much  attached,  and  that  she  attributed  his  death  to  the 
anger  of  the  Gre;it  Spirit,  whom  she  had  always  venerated,  but 
who  was  no  doubt  olfended  Avith  her,  for  having  neglected  to 
worship  Ilim  in  the  nuinner  which  she  knew  to  be  right.  She 
knew  that  the  red  people  did  not  worship  the  Great  Spirit  in  an 
acceptable  mode,  and  that  the  only  true  religion  was  that  of  the 
white  men.  Upon  the  decease  of  her  husband,  therefore,  she  had 
knelt  down,  and  vowed  that   she  would  immediately  proceed  to 


TSHUSICK. 


131 


Washington,  to  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Boyd,  who,  being  the  wife  of 
the  great  father  of  the  white  pcoj)lc,  would,  she  hoped,  protect  her 
until  she  should  be  properly  instructed  and  baptized. 

In  conformity  with  this  pious  resolution,  she  had  immediately 
set  out,  and  had  travelled  after  the  Indian  fasliion,  not  by  any  road, 
but  directly  across  the  country,  pursuing  the  cour.sc  which  she 
supposed  would  lead  her  to  the  capital.  She  had  begged  her  food 
at  the  farmhouses  she  chanced  to  pass,  and  had  slej)!  in  the  woods. 
On  being  asked  if  she  had  not  been  afraid  when  passing  the  night 
alone  iri  the  forest,  she  replied,  that  she  had  never  been  alarmed, 
for  that  she  knew  the  Great  Spirit  would  protect  her. 

This  simple,  though  remarkable  recital,  confirmed  as  it  was  by 
its  apparent  consistency,  and  the  correctness  of  the  references  to 
well-known  individuals,  both  at  Detroit  and  Mackinaw,  carried 
conviction  to  the  minds  of  all  who  heard  it.  The  Mrs.  Boyd 
alluded  to,  was  the  wife  of  a  highly  respectable  gentleman,  the 
agent  of  the  United  States  for  Indian  affairs,  residing  at  Mackinaw, 
and  she  was  the  sister  of  the  lady  of  Mr.  Adams,  then  President  of 
the  United  States.  It  seemed  natural  that  a  native  female,  capable 
of  acting  as  this  courageons  individual  had  acted,  should  seek 
the  protection  of  a  lady  who  held  the  highest  rank  in  her  nation, 
and  whose  near  relative  she  l-:nc\v  and  respected.  There  was  some- 
tliing  of  dignity,  and  much  of  romance,  in  the  idea  of  a  savage 
convert  seeking,  at  the  mansion  of  the  chief  magistrate,  the  pure 
fountain  of  the  religion  which  she  proposed  to  espouse,  as  if 
unwilling  to  receive  it  from  any  source  meaner  than  the  most 
elevated. 

Colonel  McKenney  recognized  in  the  stranger  a  person  entitled 
alike  to  the  sympathies  of  the  liberal,  and  the  protection  of  tlio 
government,  and,  in  the  exerci.se  of  his  official  duty  towards  one 
of  a  race  over  whom  ho  had  been  constituted  a  sort  of  guardian, 
immediately  received  his  visitor  under  his  protection,  and  con- 
ducted   her   to   a    neighboring    hotel,    secured  her  a  comfortable 


122 


BIOGRAPHY. 


apartment,  and  placed  her  under  the  especial  care  of  the  hostess, 
a  kind  and  excellent  woman,  Avho  promised  to  pay  her  every 
requisite  attention. 

On  the  following  morninrr,  the  first  care  of  the  commissioner 
was  to  provide  suitable  attire  for  the  stranger,  and,  having  pur- 
chased a  quantity  of  blue  and  scarlet  clothes,  feathers,  beads,  and 
other  finer}^,  he  presented  them  to  her ;  and  Tshusick,  declining  all 
assistance,  set  to  work  with  alacrity,  and  continued  to  labor  with- 
out coasing,  until  .she  had  completed  tlie  entire  costume  in  which 
^he  appears  arr.ayed  in  the  portrait  accompanying  this  notice — 
except  the  moccasonr  and  hat,  which  were  purchased.  There  she 
sits,  an  Indian  belle,  decorated  by  her  own  hands,  according  to  her 
own  taste,  and  smiling  in  the  consciousness  that  a  person  to  whom 
nature  had  not  been  niggard,  had  received  the  most  sjilendid 
embellishments  of  whicli  art  was  capable. 

Tshusick  was  now  introduced  in  due  form  at  the  presidential 
mansion,  where  she  was  received  with  great  kindness ;  the  fami- 
lies of  the  secretary  of  war,  and  of  other  gentlemen,  invited  and 
caressed  her  as  an  interesting  and  deserving  stranger.  No  other 
Indian  female,  except  the  Eagle  of  Delight,  was  ever  .so  great  a 
favorite  at  Washington,  nor  has  any  lady  of  that  race  ever 
presented  higher  claims  to  admiration.  She  was,  as  the  faithful 
pencil  of  King  has  portrayed  her,  a  beautiful  woman.  Her 
manners  had  the  mistudied  grace,  and  her  conversation  the  easy 
fluency,  of  high  refinement.  There  was  nothing  about  her  that 
was  coarse  or  common-place.  Sprightly,  intelligent,  and  quick, 
there  was  also  a  womanly  decorum  in  all  her  actions,  a  purity  and 
delicacy  in  her  v\holc  air  and  conduct,  that  pleased  and  attracted 
all  who  saw  her.  So  agreeable  a  savage  has  seldom,  if  ever, 
adorned  the  fashionable  circles  of  civilized  life. 

The  success  of  this  lady  at  her  first  appearance  on  a  scene 
entirely  new  to  lier,  is  not  surprising.  Youth  and  beauty  are  in 
themselves  always  attractive,  and  she  was  just  then  in  the  full 


I 


TSHUSICK. 


123 


bloom  of  womanhood.  Her  age  mifrlit  have  been  twenty-eight, 
lilt  she  seemed  much  younger.  Her  dress,  though  somewhat 
gaudy,  was  picturesque,  and  well  calculated  to  excite  attention  by 
its  singularit}^  while  its  adaptation  to  her  own  style  of  beauty, 
and  to  the  aboriginal  character,  rendered  it  appropriate.  Neat  in 
her  person,  she  arranged  her  costume  with  taste,  and,  accustomed 
from  infancy  to  active  exercise,  her  limbs  had  a  freedom  and  grace 
of  action  too  seldom  seen  among  ladies  who  arc  differently 
educated.  Like  all  handsome  Momen,  be  their  color  or  nation 
what  it  may,  she  knew  her  power,  and  used  it  to  the  greatest 
advantage. 

But  that  part  of  Tshusick's  story  which  is  yet  to  be  related  is, 
to  our  mind,  the  most  remarkable.  Having  attended  to  lier  per- 
sonal comforts,  and  introduced  her  to  those  whose  patronage  might 
be  most  serviceable.  Colonel  McKenncy's  next  care  was  to  securi^ 
for  her  the  means  of  gratifying  her  wish  to  embrace  the  Christian 
religion.  She  professed  her  readiness  to  act  immediately  on  the 
subject,  and  proposed  that  the  Colonel  should  administer  the  rite  of 
baptism — ^lie  being  a  great  chief,  the,  father  of  the  Indians,  and 
the  most  proper  person  to  perform  this  parental  and  sacerdotal 
office.  He  of  course  declined,  and  addressed  a  note  to  the  Keve- 
rend  Mr.  Gray,  Rector  of  Christ  Church,  in  Georgetown,  who 
immediately  called  to  see  Tshusick.  On  being  introduced  to  him, 
she  inquired  whether  he  spoke  French,  and  desired  that  their 
conversation  might  be  held  in  that  language,  in  order  that  the 
otlier  persons  who  were  present  v.iight  not  understand  it,  alleging, 
as  her  rea.son  for  the  request,  the  sacredness  of  the  subject,  and 
the  delicacy  she  felt  in  speaking  of  her  religious  sentiments.  A 
long  and  interesting  conversation  ensued,  at  the  conclusion  of 
which  Mr.  Gray  expressed  his  astonishment  at  the  extent  of  her 
knowk'dge,  and  the  clearness  of  her  views,  in  relation  to  the  whole 
Christian  scheme.  lie  was  surprised  to  hear  a  savage,  reared 
among  her  own  wild  race,  in  the  distant  regions  of  the  northern 


I 


124 


BIOGRAPHY. 


lakes,  mIio  could  neither  read  nor  Avrite,  speak  with  fluency  and 
precision  in  a  forcij^n  tongue,  on  llie  great  doctrine  of  sin,  repent- 
ance, and  the  atonement.  lie  proiioniiced  lier  a  fit  subject  f(  r 
baptism;  and  accordingly  that  rite  was  administered,  a  few  days 
afterwards,  agreeably  to  the  form  of  the  Ei)iscopalian  church,  in 
the  presence  of  a  large  company.  When  tlie  name  to  be  given  to 
the  new  convert  -was  a.sked  by  Mr.  Gray,  it  appeared  that  none 
had  been  agreed  on ;  those  of  the  wife  and  daughter  of  the  then 
secretary  of  war  were  suggestcjd  on  the  emergency,  and  were  used. 
Throughout  this  trying  ceremony,  she  conducted  herself  with 
great  propriety.  Iler  deportment  was  calm  and  self-possessed, 
yet  characterized  by  a  sensibility  which  seemed  to  be  the  result 
of  genuine  feeling. 

Another  anecdote  shows  the  remarkable  tact  and  talent  of  this 
singular  woman.  On  an  occasion  when  Colonel  INIcKemiey 
introduced  her  to  a  large  party  of  his  friends,  there  was  present  a 
son  of  the  celebrated  Theobald  Wolfe  Tone,  a  young  Frenchman 
of  uncommon  genius  and  attainment.  This  gentleman  no  sooner 
heard  T.shusick  converse  in  his  native  tongue,  than  he  laughed 
heartily,  insisted  that  the  whole  affair  was  a  deception,  tliat  Colonel 
McKenncy  had  dressed  up  a  smart  youth  of  the  engineer  corps, 
and  had  gotten  up  an  ingenious  scenic  representation  for  the 
amusement  of  his  guests — because  he  considered  it  utterly  impos- 
sible that  an  Indian  could  speak  the  French  language  with  such 
purity  and  elegance.  He  declared  that  her  dialect  was  that  of 
a  well  educated  Parisian.  We  do  not  think  it  surprising  that  a 
purer  French  should  be  spoken  on  our  frontier,  tlian  in  the 
province  of  France.  Tlie  language  was  introduced  among  the 
Indians  by  the  priests  and  military  oflicers,  who  Avere  educated  at 
Paris,  and  were  persons  of  refinement,  and  it  has  remained  there 
without  change.  The  same  state  of  facts  may  exist  there  whicli 
we  know  to  be  true  with  regard  to  the  United  States.  The  first 
emigrants  to  our  country  were  educated  persons,  who  introduced  a 


TSHUSICK. 


125 


pure  tongue ;  and  tlie  English  language  is  spoken  by  Americans 
with  greater  correctness,  than  in  any  of  the  provincial  parts  of 
Great  Britain. 

We  shall  only  add  to  this  part  of  our  strange  eventful  his- 
Mry,  that  all  who  saw  Tshusick  at  Washington,  were  alike 
impressed  with  the  invariable  propriety  of  her  deportment;  her 
hostess  especially,  who  had  the  opportunity  of  noticing  her  beha- 
vior more  closely  than  others,  expressed  the  most  unqualified 
approbation  of  her  conduct.  She  was  neat,  methodical,  and  pure 
in  all  her  habits  and  conversation.  She  spoke  with  fluency  on  a 
variety  of  subjects,  and  was,  in  short,  a  most  graceful  and  interest- 
ing woman.  Yet  she  was  a  savage,  who  had  strolled  on  foot  from 
the  borders  of  Lake  Superior  to  the  American  capital. 

When  the  time  arrived  for  Tshusick  to  take  her  departure,  she 
was  not  allowed  to  go  empty  handed.  Iler  kind  friends  at  Wa.sh- 
ington  loaded  her  with  presents.  Mrs.  Adams,  the  lady  of  the 
President,  besides  the  valuable  gifts  which  she  gave  her,  intrusted 
to  her  care  a  variety  of  articles  for  her  young  relatives,  the  children 
of  Mr.  Boyd,  of  Mackinaw.  It  being  arranged  that  she  should 
travel  by  the  stage  coaches  as  far  as  practicable,  her  baggage  was 
carefully  packed  in  a  large  trunk ;  but  as  part  of  her  journey 
would  be  through  the  >vilderness,  where  she  must  ride  on  horse- 
back, she  was  supplied  with  the  means  of  buying  a  hor.se ;  and  a 
large  sack,  contrived  by  herself',  and  to  be  hung  like  panniers 
across  the  horse,  was  made,  into  which  all  licr  property  was  to  be 
stowed.  Her  money  was  placed  in  a  belt  to  be  worn  round  her 
waist ;  and  a  distinguished  oflicer  of  the  army,  of  high  rank,  with 
the  gallantry  which  forms  so  conspicuous  a  part  of  his  character, 
fastened  with  his  own  hand  this  rich  cestus  upon  the  person  of 
the  lovely  tourist. 

Thus  pleasantly  did  the  days  of  Tshusick  pass  at  the  capital  of 
the  United  States,  and  she  departed  burdened  with  the  favors 
and  good  wishes  of  those  who  were  highest  in  station  and   most 


126 


BIOGRAPHY. 


worthy  in  character.  On  her  arrival  at  Barnum's  hotel  in  Balti- 
moro,  u  fuvorablc  reception  was  secured  for  her  by  a  letter  of 
inlrodiiclion.  ISIrs.  Barniim  took  her  into  her  private  apartments, 
detained  her  several  days  as  her  guest,  and  .showed  her  the  curiosi- 
ties of  that  beautiful  city.  She  then  departed  in  the  western  stage 
for  Frederick ;  the  proprietors  of  the  stages  declined  receiving  any 
pay  from  lier,  cither  for  her  journey  to  Baltimore,  or  thence  west, 
so  far  as  she  was  heard  of 

Having  tlius,  with  tlio  fidelity  of  an  impartial  historian,  described 
the  halcyon  days  of  Tshusick,  as  the  story  was  told  us  by  those 
who  saw  her  dandled  on  the  knee  of  ho.spitality,  or  fluttering  with 
childlike  joy  upon  the  wing  of  pleasure,  it  is  with  pain  that  we  are 
obliged  to  reverse  the  picture.  But  beauties,  like  other  con- 
querors, have  their  hours  of  glory  and  of  gloom.  The  brilliant 
career  of  Tshusick  was  destined  to  close  as  suddenly  as  that  of 
the  conqueror  of  Europe  at  the  field  of  Waterloo. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  fair  Ojibway  at  Washington,  Colonel 
McKenncy  had  written  to  Governor  Cass,  at  Det'-oit,  describing,  in 
glowing  language,  the  bright  stranger  who  was  the  delight  of  the 
higher  circles  at  the  metropolis,  and  desiring  to  know  of  the 
Governor  of  Michigan  her  character  and  history.  The  reply  to 
this  prudent  inquiry  was  received  a  few  days  after  the  departure 
of  the  subject  of  it.  The  governor,  highly  amused  at  the  success 
of  the  lady's  adventure,  congratulated  his  mmierous  friends  at 
Washington,  on  the  acquisition  which  had  been  gained  to  their 
social  circle,  and,  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  his  friend, 
stated  what  he  knew  of  her.  She  was  the  ^vife  of  a  short  squat 
Frenchman,  who  officiated  as  a  scullion  in  the  hoiisehold  of  Mr. 
Boyd,  the  Indian  agent  at  Macliinaw,  and  who,  so  far  from  having 
been  spirited  away  from  his  afflicted  wife,  was  supporting  her 
absence  without  leave  with  the  utmost  resignation.  It  was  not 
the  first  liberty  of  this  kind  she  haxl  taken.  Her  love  of  adventure 
had  more  than  once  induced   her  to  separate  for  a  season   the 


TSIIUSICK. 


127 


icir 
3ncl, 
uat 
Mr. 
dug 
her 

not 
lure 

the 


coTijiigal  tic,  and  to  throw  herself  upon  the  cold  charity  of  a 
world  that  has  been  called  heartless,  but  which  had  not  proved  so 
to  licr.  She  was  a  sort  of  female  swindler,  who  practised  upon 
the  unsophisticated  natures  of  her  fellow  men,  by  an  aboriginal 
method  of  her  own  inveiition.  Whenever  stern  necessity,  or  lier 
own  pleasure,  rendere?^  it  expedient  to  replenish  her  exhausted 
coffers,  her  custom  had  been  to  wander  oif  into  the  settlements  of 
the  whites,  and,  under  a  disguise  of  extreme  wretchedness,  to  recite 
some  tale  of  distress;  that  she  had  been  crossed  in  love;  or  was 
the  sole  survivor  of  a  dreadful  massacre;  or  was  disposed  to 
embrace  the  Christian  religion ;  and  such  was  the  effect  of  her 
beauty  and  address,  that  she  seldom  failed  to  return  with  a  rich 
booty.  She  had  wandered  through  the  whole  length  of  the 
Canadas  to  Montreal  and  Quebec;  had  traced  the  dreary  solitudes 
of  the  northern  lakes,  to  the  most  remote  trading  stations;  had 
ascended  the  Mississippi  to  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony,  and  had 
followed  tlie  meanders  of  that  river  down  to  St.  Louis,  comprising, 
within  the  range  of  lier  travels,  the  whole  vast  extent  of  the 
northern  and  north-western  frontier,  and  many  places  in  the 
interior.  Iler  last  and  boldest  attempt  was  a  masterpiece  of  daring 
and  successful  enterprise,  and  will  compare  well  with  the  most 
finished  efforts  of  the  ablest  impostors  of  modern  times. 

It  Mill  be  seen  that  Tshusick  had  ample  opportunities  for 
obtaining  the  information  which  she  used  so  dexterously,  and  for 
beholding  the  manners  of  refined  life,  which  she  imitated  with 
such  success.  She  had  been  a  servant  in  the  families  of  gentlemen 
holding  ofhcial  rank  on  the  frontier,  and,  in  her  wanderings,  been 
entertained  at  the  dwellings  of  English,  French,  and  Americans, 
of  every  grade.  Her  religious  knowledge  was  picked  up  at  the 
missionary  stations  at  Mackinaw,  and  from  the  priests  at  Montreal; 
and  her  excellent  French  resulted  partly  from  hearing  that  lan- 
guage well  spoken  by  genteel  persons,  and  partly  from  an  admira- 
ble perception  and  fluency  of  speech  that  are  natural  to  a  gifted 
17 


188 


BIOGRAPHY. 


tew,  and  more  frequently  found  in  women  than  in  men.  Although 
an  impostor  and  vagnuit,  she  was  a  rciiiafkahle  person,  possessing 
beauty,  tact,  spirit,  and  address,  which  tlie  highest  born  and 
loveliest  niiglit  envy,  and  tlie  j)crversion  of  which  to  purj)oses  of 
deception  and  vice  affords  the  most  melancholy  evidence  of  the 
depravity  of  oiir  nature. 

Tshusick  lei't  Washington  in  February,  1829,  and  in  the  month 
of  Juno  following,  Colonel  iMcKenne3's  oflicial  (hities  required  him 
to  visit  tlie  north-western  frontier.  On  his  arrival  at  Detroit,  lie 
naturally  felt  some  curiosity  to  see  the  singular  being  wlio  liad 
practised  so  adroitly  on  the  credulity  of  hini.self  and  his  friend.s, 
and  tlic  more  especially,  as  he  learned  that  the  presents  witii  which 
she  had  been  charged  l)y  the  latter,  had  not  been  delivered.  On 
inquiry,  he  was  told  slie  had  just  gone  to  Miickinaw.  Proceed- 
ing on  his  tour,  he  learned  at  Mackinaw  that  she  had  left  for 
Green  Bay;  from  the  latter  place  she  preceded  him  to  Prairie  du 
Chien ;  and  when  lie  arrived  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  she  had  just 
departed  for  St.  Peters.  It  was  evident  that  she  had  heard  of  his 
coming,  and  was  unwilling  to  meet  him ;  she  had  lied  before  him, 
from  place  to  place,  probably  alone,  and  certainly  with  but  slender 
means  of  subsistence,  for  more  than  a  thousand  miles,  giving  thus 
a  new  proof  of  the  vigilance  and  fearlessness  that  marked  her 
character. 

In  reciting  this  singular  adventure,  we  have  not  been  able  to 
avoid  entirely  the  mention  of  names  connected  ■\\ith  it,  but  ve 
have  confined  ourselves  to  those  of  persons  in  jiublic  life,  whose 
stations  i^ulject  tlicm,  without  impropriety,  to  tliis  kind  of  notice. 
The  whrle  affair  affords  a  remarkaljle  instance  of  the  benignant 
character  of  our  government,  and  of  the  facilitv  with  which  the 
highest  functionaries  may  be  approached  by  any  who  have  even 
a  shadow  of  claim  on  their  protection.  Power  does  not  assume, 
with  us,  the  repulsive  shape  which  keeps  tlie  lumilile  at  a  dis- 
tance, nor  are  the  doors  of  our  rulers  guarded  by  tedious  official 


TSIIUSICK. 


129 


forms,  that  delay  the  petitions  of  those  who  claim  either  mercy 
or  justice. 

The  beautiful  stories  of  Elizabeth,  by  Madame  Cottin,  and  of 
Joannie  Deans,  by  Scott,  are  botli  founded  on  real  events,  vhich 
arc  considered  as  affording  delightful  illustrations  of  the  heroic 
self-devotion  of  the  female  heart ;  of  the  courage  and  enthusiasm 
with  which  a  woman  will  encounter  danger  for  a  beloved  object. 
Had  the  journey  of  Tshusick  been  undertaken,  like  those  alluded 
to,  to  save  a  parent  or  a  sister,  or  oven  been  induced  by  the 
circumstances  which  she  alleged,  it  would  have  formed  a  touching 
incident  in  the  history  of  woman,  little  inferior  to  any  which  have 
ever  been  related.  She  came  far,  and  endiu'cd  much  ;  emerging 
from  the  lowest  rank  in  society,  she  found  favor  in  the  highest, 
and  achieved,  for  the  base  purpose  of  plunder,  the  success  which 
would  have  immortalized  her  name,  had  it  been  obtained  in  a 
virtuous  cause. 

This  remarkable  woman  is  still  living,  and,  though  broken  by 
years,  exhibits  the  same  active  and  intriguing  spirit  which  distin- 
giushed  her  youth.  She  is  well  known  on  the  frontier;  but, 
when  we  last  heard  of  her,  passed  under  a  different  name  from 
that  which  we  have  recorded. 


J 


r 


r" 


ONGPATONGA. 


TiiKRE  are  few  aboriginal  clii  fs  Avhose  character  may  be  con- 
templated with  80  much  complacency  as  that  of  the  iiulividiial 
before  us,  wiio  is  not  only  an  able  but  a  highly  estimable  man. 
He  is  the  principal  chief  of  his  nation,  and  the  most  considerable 
man  among  them  in  jmint  of  talent  and  influence.  He  uses  his 
power  with  moderation,  and  the  white  men  who  have  visited  his 
country  all  bear  testimony  to  his  uniform  fair  dealing,  ho,spitality, 
and  friendship.  He  is  a  good  warrior,  and  has  never  failed  to 
effect  tlie  objects  which  he  has  attempted;  being  distinguished 
rather  by  the  common  sense  and  sagacity  which  secure  success, 
than  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  achievements. 

While  quite  a  young  man,  he  performed  an  exploit  which  gained 
him  great  credit.  The  Omahas  had  sent  a  messenger  of  some 
distinction  upon  an  embassy  to  the  Pawnee  Loups,  who,  instead 
of  receiving  him  with  the  respect  due  to  his  character,  as  the 
representative  of  his  nation,  treated  him  with  contempt.  Ong- 
patonga,  though  young,  was  a  chief  of  some  distinction,  and 
immediately  took  upon  himself  to  revenge  the  insult.  He  deter- 
mined to  do  this  promptly,  before  the  aggressors  could  be  aware 
of  his  intention,  and  while  the  sense  of  injury  was  glowing  in  the 
bosoms  of  his  people.  Placing  himself  at  the  head  of  the  whole 
population  of  his  village,  men,  women,  and  children,  he  proceeded 
to  the  Pawnee  town,  and  attacked  it  so  suddenly,  and  with  such  a 
show  of  numbers,  that  the  inhabitants  deserted  it  without  attempt- 

(131) 


132 


BIOGRAPHY. 


ing  a  defence.     He  then  destroyed  the  village  and  retired,  taking 
with  him  a  c-onsiderablc  booty,  consisting  chiefly  of  horses. 

The  Oniahas  inliabit  the  shores  of  the  Missouri  river,  abont 
eight  hundred  miles  above  its  confluence  with  the  Mississippi. 
They  of  course  hunt  over  tliose  beautiful  and  boundless  prairies 
which  aflbrd  pasturage  to  the  buflalo,  and  are  expert  in  the  capture 
of  that  animal,  and  the  management  of  the  horse.  They  have  but 
one  permanent  village,  which  consists  of  huts  formed  of  poles,  and 
plastered  Avith  mud.  A  fertile  plain,  which  spreads  out  in  front 
of  their  town,  aflfords  ground  for  their  rude  horticulture,  which 
extends  to  the  planting  of  corn,  beans,  pumpkins,  and  watermelons. 
This  occupation,  with  the  dressing  of  the  buffalo  skins,  procured  in 
thci  previous  winter's  hunt,  employs  the  .spring  months  of  the  year; 
and,  in  June,  they  make  their  arrangements  for  a  grand  hunting 
expedition.  A  solemn  council  is  held  in  advance  of  this  important 
undertaking,  at  which  the  chiefs,  the  great  warriors,  and  the  most 
experienced  hunters,  dcliberaiely  express  their  opinions  in  lelat.'on 
to  tlie  route  propo.scd  to  be  pursued;  the  necessary  prejiarations, 
and  all  other  matters  connected  with  the  subject.  A  feast  is  then 
given  by  an  individual  selected  for  the  purpose,  to  which  all  the 
chief  men  are  invited,  and  several  of  the  fattest  dogs  are  roasted 
for  their  entertainment.  He'^e  the  principal  chief  introduces  again 
the  great  subject  of  debate,  in  a  set  speech,  in  which  he  thanks 
each  person  {)resent  for  the  honor  of  his  company,  on  an  occasion 
so  important  to  the  nation,  and  calls  upon  them  to  determine 
whether  the  state  of  tlieir  stock  of  provisions  will  justify  their 
remaining  longer,  to  allow  the  squaws  time  to  weed  their  corn,  or 
whether  they  shall  proceed  at  once  to  the  pastures  of  the  game. 
If  the  latter  be  the  decision  of  the  company,  he  invites  them  to 
determine  whether  it  would  be  advisable  to  ascend  the  runnin<r 
water,  or  seek  the  shores  of  the  Platte,  or  extend  their  journey  to 
the  black  lulls  of  the  south-west,  in  pursuit  of  wild  honses.  lie  is 
usually  followed  by  some  old  chief,  who  compliments   the   lieud 


\M 
,]r.r 

niK 

"m 

l,v 

eati 

iiiir 


ONGPATONGA. 


133 


man  for  his  knowledge  and  bravery,  and  congratulates  the  tribe  on 
tlieir  good  fortune  in  having  so  wise  a  leader.  Thus  an  Omaha 
feast  very  rr'ioh  resembles  a  political  dinner  among  ourselves,  and 
is  imi-roved  as  a  fit  occasicm  for  great  men  to  display  their 
eloquence  to  the  public,  and  their  talent  in  paying  compliments  to 
each  other.  These  consultations  are  conducted  ■with  great  deco- 
rum, yet  are  characterized  by  the  utmost  freedom  of  debate;  every 
individual,  whoso  age  and  standiug  are  such  as  to  allow  him,  with 
])ripricl3',  to  speak  in  public,  giving  hi.;  opinion.  A  sagacious 
head  man,  however,  is  careful  to  preserve  his  popularity  by 
respecting  the  opinion  of  tlio  tribe  at  large,  or,  as  we  should  term 
it,  the  people;  and  for  tliat  j)urpose,  ascertains  Ijeforchand,  the 
wishes  of  the  mass  of  his  followers.  Ongpatonga  was  a  model 
chief  in  this  respect;  he  always  carefully  .ascertained  the  public 
sentiment  before  he  went  into  council,  and  knev/  the  wishes  of  the 
majority  in  advance  of  a  decision ;  and  this  is,  probably,  the  most 
valuable  talent  for  a  public  s|7eaker,  who  may  not  only  lead,  by 
echoing  the  seutimcnls  of  tjiosc  he  addresses,  but,  on  important 
points,  inshiuates  wi*h  eflect,  the  dictates  of  his  own  more  mature 
judgment. 

After  such  a  feast  as  we  liave  described,  others  succeed;  and  the 
da\s  of  preparation  for  tlie  grand  hunt  are  fdled  with  games  and 
rejoicings;  the  squaws  employing  themselves  in  packing  up  their 
movables,  and  taking  great  care  to  make  themselves  important  by 
retarding  or  accelerating  the  moaient  of  depart,  -e.  vVt  length  the 
wliole  tril)c  move  off  in  grand  cavalcade,  \\'i\\\  their  skin  lodges, 
doirs,  and  horses,  leaving  not  a  liviug  thing  in  their  deserted  village, 
and  proceed  to  the  far  distant  plains,  where  the  herds  of  buffalo 
"  most  do  congregate."  About  five  months  in  the  year  are  spent 
liv  this  nation  at  lh(>ir  village,  during  which  tliey  are  occujiied  in 
eating,  sL^epinix,  smoking,  making  speeches,  waiting  war.  or  st<'al- 
iiig  horses;  the  other  seven  are  actively  employed  in  chasing  the 
buffalo  or  the  wild  horse. 


134 


BIOGRAPHY. 


The  Omahas  liave  one  peculiarity  in  their  customs,  which  we 
have  never  noticed  in  the  history  of  any  other  people.  Neither 
the  father-in-law  nor  motlver-in-law  is  permitted  to  hold  any  direct 
conversation  with  their  son-in-law;  it  is  esteemed  indelicate  in 
these  parties  to  look  in  each  other's  faces,  or  to  mention  the  names 
of  each  other,  or  to  have  any  intercourse,  except  through  the 
medium  of  a  third  person.  If  an  Omaha  enters  a  tent  in  which 
the  husband  of  his  daughter  is  seated,  the  latter  conceals  his  head 
with  his  robe,  and  takes  the  earliest  opportunity  to  withdiaw, 
while  the  ordinary  ofTices  of  kindness  and  hospitalit}"  are  peri"  '•ine  ' 
through  the  female,  who  passes  the  pipe  or  the  message  bo  i-^>* 
her  father  and  husband. 

Ongpatonga  married  the  daughter  of  jNIecliapa,  or  tho  Horsehead. 
On  a  visit  to  his  wife  one  day,  he  entered  the  tent  of  her  father, 
unobserved  by  the  latter,  who  was  engaged  in  playing  with  a 
favorite  dog,  named  Arrccattawaho,  which,  in  the  Pawnee  language, 
signifies  Big  Elk — being  synonymous  with  Ongpatonga  in  the 
Omaha.  This  name  the  father-in-law  was  unluckily  repeating, 
without  being  aware  of  the  breach  of  good  manners  do  was  com- 
mitting, until  his  wife,  after  many  ineffectual  winks  and  signs, 
struck  him  on  the  back  with  her  fist,  and  in  that  tone  of  conjugal 
remonstrance  which  ladies  can  use  when  necessary,  e.vclaimed : 
"  You  old  fool !  have  yoa  no  eyes  to  see  wjio  is  jirescnt?  You  had 
better  jump  on  his  back,  and  ride  him  about  like  a  dog!"  The 
old  man,  in  surprise,  ejaculated  "  Wah !"  and  ran  out  of  the  lent 
in  confusion.  We  know  scarcely  an}'  thing  so  odi^  ns  this  smgular 
custom,  which  seems  to  be  as  inconvenient  as  it  is  uiinieaniiig. 

The  Big  Elk  has  been  a  v^ry  distinguished  orator;  fi;w  uiiedn- 
cated  men  have  ever  cultivated  this  art  with  more  success.  We 
have  before  us  a  specimen  of  his  oratory,  which  is  very  cred  ..iMc  to 
his  al)ilities.  In  ISH,  a  council  was  held  at  the  Port.iofe  des  f,>iK.ax, 
between  Governor  Edwards  and  Colv.iicl  Miller,  on  the  part  of  the 
American  government,  and  a  number  of  Indian  chiefs,  of  different 


ONGPATONGA. 


13S 


nations.  One  of  the  latter,  the  Black  Buffalo,  a  highly  respected 
Sioux  chief,  of  the  letan  trihe,  died  suddenly  during  the  confer- 
ence, and  was  buried  with  the  honors  of  war.  At  the  conclusion 
of  the  ceremony,  Ongpatonga  made  the  following  unpremeditated 
address  to  those  assembled :  "  Do  not  grieve.  Misfortunes  will 
happen  to  the  wisest  and  best  of  men.  Death  will  come,  and 
always  comes  out  of  season.  It  is  the  command  of  the  Great 
Sj)irit,  and  all  nations  and  people  must  obey.  What  is  past,  and 
cannot  be  prevented,  should  not  be  grieved  for.  Be  not  discouraged 
nor  displeased,  that  in  visiting  your  father  here,  you  have  lost  your 
chief  A  misfortune  A'  this  kind,  under  such  afflicting  circum- 
stancos,  may  nevei  again  befall  you;  but  this  loss  would  have 
occurred  to  you,  perhaps,  at  your  own  village.  Five  times  have  I 
visited  this  land,  and  never  returned  with  sorrow  or  pain.  Misfor- 
tunes do  not  flourish  particularly  in  one  path ;  they  grow  every 
where.  liow  unhappy  am  I  that  I  could  not  have  lied  this  da)% 
instead  of  the  chief  that  lies  before  us.  The  triflinj,  loss  my  nation 
would  have  sustained  in  my  death,  would  have  been  doubly  repaid 
by  the  honors  of  such  a  burial.  They  would  have  wiped  off 
every  thing  like  regret.  Instead  of  being  covered  with  a  cloud  of 
sorrow,  my  warriors  would  have  felt  the  sunshine  of  joy  in  their 
hearts.  To  me  it  would  have  been  a  most  glorious  occurrence. 
Hereafter,  when  I  die  at  home,  instead  of  a  noble  grave,  and  a 
grand  procession,  the  rolling  music,  and  the  thundering  cannon, 
with  a  flag  waving  over  my  li?ad,  I  shall  be  wrapped  in  a  robe, 
and  hoisted  on  a  slender  scaffold,  exposed  to  the  whistling  winds, 
soon  to  be  blown  down  to  the  eartli — my  flesh  to  be  devotircd  by 
the  wolves,  and  my  bones  trodden  on  the  jilain  by  wild  beasts. 
<"! lief  of  the  soldiers!  (addressing  Colonel  Miller,)  your  care  has 
not  been  bestowed  ih  vain.  Your  attentions  shall  not  be  forgotten. 
My  nation  shall  know  thb  respect  that  our  white  friends  pay  1o 
the  dead.  When  I  return,  I  will  echo  the  sound  of  your  guns." 
Had  this  speech  been  uttered  by  a  Grecian  or  Roman  orator,  it 
18 


136 


BIOGRAPHY. 


would  hnve  been  often  quoted  as  a  choice  effusion  of  classic 
eloquence.  It  is  not  often  that  we  meet  with  a  funeral  culogiutn  so 
unstudied,  yet  so  pointed  and  ingenious. 

This  chief  delivered  a  speech  to  the  military  and  scientific 
gentlemen  who  accompanied  Colonel  Long  in  his  expedition  to 
the  Rocky  Mountaiiis,  in  1819-20,  iu  which  he  asserted,  that  not 
one  ""  his  nation  had  ever  stained  his  hands  with  the  blood  of  a 
whitv. 

The  c  1  :ter  of  Ongpatonga  is  strongly  contrasted  with  that  of 
Wasliinggusaba,  or  the  Black  Bird,  one  of  his  predecessors.  The 
latter  was  also  an  able  man,  and  a  great  warrior,  but  was  a  monster 
in  cruelty  and  despotism.  Having  learned  the  deadly  quality  of 
arsenic  from  the  traders,  he  procured  a  quantity  of  that  drug, 
which  he  secretly  used  to  effect  his  dreadful  purposes.  lie  caused 
it  to  be  believed  among  his  people,  that  if  he  prophesied  the  death 
of  an  individual,  the  person  so  doomed  would  immediately  die; 
and  he  artfully  removed  by  poison  every  one  who  offended  him,  oi 
thwarted  his  measures.  The  Ornahas  were  entirely  ignorant  of 
tho  means  by  which  this  horrible  result  was  produced ;  but  they 
saw  the  effect,  and  knew,  from  mournful  experience,  that  the  dis- 
pleasure of  the  cliicf  was  the  certain  forerunner  of  death ;  and 
their  superstitious  minds  easily  adopted  the  belief  that  he  possessed 
a  power  which  enabled  him  to  will  the  destruction  of  his  enemies. 
He  acquired  a  despotic  sway  over  the  minds  of  his  people,  which 
he  exercised  in  the  most  tyrannical  manner ;  and  so  great  wa.s  their 
fear  of  him,  that  even  when  he  became  superannuated,  and  so 
corpulent  as  to  be  unable  to  walk,  they  carried  him  about,  watched 
over  him  when  he  slept,  and  awoke  him,  when  necessary,  by 
tickling  his  nose  with  a  straw,  for  fear  of  disturbing  him  toe 
abruptly.  One  chief,  the  Little  Bow,  whom  he  attempted  ineffec- 
tually to  poison,  had  the  sagacity  to  discover  the  deception,  and  the 
independence  to  rcsi.st  the  influence  of  the  im])ostor;  but  being 
unable  to  cope  with  so  powerful  an  oppressor,  he  withdrew  wit'i  a 


ONGPATONGA. 


137 


small  band  of  warriors,  and  remained  separated  from  the  nation 
until  the  decease  of  the  Black  Bird,  which  occurred  in  the  year 
1800.  It  is  creditable  to  Ongpatonga,  who  shortly  after  succeeded 
1o  the  post  of  principal  chief,  that  he  made  no  attempt  to  perpetuate 
llic  absolute  authority  to  which  the  Omahas  had  been  accustomed, 
but  ruled  over  them  with  a  mild  and  patriarchal  sway. 

In  a  conversation  which  this  chief  held,  in  1821,  with  some 
gentlemen  at  Washington,  he  is  represented  as  saying — "  The  same 
Being  who  made  the  white  people  made  the  red  people;  but  the 
white  are  belter  than  the  red  pcojjlc ;"  and  this  remark  has  been 
called  a  degrading  one,  and  not  in  accordance  with  the  int1e- 
pendent  spirit  of  a  native  chief  We  think  the  comment  is  unju.st. 
Having  travelled  through  the  whole  breadth  of  the  United  States, 
and  witnessed  the  effects  of  civilization,  in  the  industry  of  a  great 
people,  he  might  readily  infer  the  superiority  of  the  whites,  and 
make  the  observation  with  a  candor  which  .always  formed  a  part 
of  his  character.  But,  it  is  equally  probable,  that  the  expression 
^vas  merely  complimentary,  and  was  uttered  in  the  same  spirit  of 
courtesy  with  the  wish,  which  he  announced  at  the  grave  of  the 
letan,  that  he  had  fallen  instead  of  the  deceased. 

This  chief  is  a  person  of  highly  respectable  character.  His 
policy  has  alwaj's  been  pacific  ;  he  has  cndcavorod  to  Hve  at  peace 
with  his  neighbors,  and  used  his  influence  to  keep  them  upon  good 
terms  with  each  other.  He  has  always  been  friendly  to  the  whites, 
and  kindly  disposed  towards  the  American  government  and  people; 
has  listened  to  their  counsels,  and  taken  pains  to  disseminate  the 
admonitions  which  have  been  given  for  the  iireservation  and  happi- 
ness of  the  Indian  race.  He  is  a  man  of  good  sense  and  sound 
judgment,  and  is  said  to  be  unsurpassed  as  a  public  speaker.  He 
bears  an  excellent  reputation  for  probity ;  and  is  spoken  of  by 
those  \\ho  know  him  well,  as  one  of  the  best  men  of  the  native 
tribes.  He  is  one  of  the  few  Indians  who  can  tell  his  own  ag<' 
with  accuracy.     He  is  sixty -six  years  old. 


NESOUAaUOlT. 


Nesouaquoit,  being  interpreted,  means,  the  Dear  in  the  forks 
of  a  tree.  The  portrait  before  tlie  reader  \\a,s  talcen  at  the  city  of 
Washington,  in  the  winter  of  1837,  Nesouaquoit  being,  at  that 
time,  about  forty  years  of  age.  He  is  full  six  feet  higli,  and  in  his 
proportions  is  a  model  of  manly  symmetry.  He  is  a  Fox  Indian, 
and  the  son  of  the  famous  chief  Chemakasee,  or  the  Lance.  This 
chief  is  yet  living,  but  being  old  and  superannuated,  has  retired 
from  the  chieftainship  of  his  band,  having  conferred  upon  his  son, 
Nesouaquoit,  all  his  authority  and  dignity. 

In  1812,  soon  after  the  United  States  liad  declared  war  against 
Great  Britain,  the  agents  of  that  kingdom,  then  among  us,  sought 
to  draw  the  band,  of  which  Chemakasee  was  chief,  into  an  alliance 
with  lliem.  A  council  was  held,  at  which  a  proposal  to  this 
effect  was  formally  made.  Chemakasee  answered,  by  saying, 
"  We  will  not  fight  fw  the  red  coats,  but  we  will  fight  against 
them."  This  laconic  response  being  final,  a  strong  excitement 
was  produced,  which  threatened  not  only  the  peace,  but  the  lives, 
of  Chemakasee's  band.  To  relieve  them  from  this  perilous  situa- 
tion, the  United  States  government  directed  that  the)-  should  be 
remnvcd  to  a  place  of  security,  and  protected  both  against  the 
British  and  their  Indian  allies.  General  Clark,  being  charged  with 
this  order,  caused  them  to  be  removed  to  Fort  Edwards,  where 
they  were  kept,  and  fed,  and  clothed  at  the  expense  of  the  United 
States,  till  the  termination  of  the  war.  The  band  numbered  then 
iibout  four  hundred  souls. 

After  the  war,  Chemakasee,  instead  of  returning  to  his  former 

(139) 


140 


BIOGRAPHY. 


position,  and  renewing  his  relations  with  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  of 
the  Mississippi,  determined  to  avoid  the  one  and  decUne  tlie  other — 
so  he  sought  a  country  hy  ascending  the  Missouri,  until,  arriving 
at  La  Platto,  he  settled  on  that  river,  near  the  Black  Snake  hills, 
where  he  continues  to  reside. 

In  1815,  a  treaty  was  concluded  between  this  band  and  the 
United  States;  the  third  article  of  which  stipulates,  that  a  just 
proportion  of  the  unnuitics,  whicdi  a  previous  treaty  had  provided 
lo  be  paid  to  tlic  Sauk  and  Fo.v  Indians,  should  be  paid  to  the 
Foxes  of  La  Platte.  By  some  strange  oversight,  this  j)rovision  of 
the  treaty  had  been  overlooked — unintentionally,  no  doubt,  by  the 
government,  whilst  the  age  and  infirmities  of  Chemakasee,  it  is 
presumed,  caused  him  to  forget  it.  An  arrearage  of  twenty  years 
had  accumvdatcd,  wlien  Ncsouaquoit,  having  succeeded  to  tlie 
chieftainship  of  his  band,  resolved  to  ascertain  why  the  govern- 
ment had  so  long  delayed  to  fulfil  this  stipulation.  lie  first  held  a 
conference  -with  the  agent;  but  this  ofllcor  had  no  power  over  the 
case.  He  then  resolved  to  visit  AVashington,  and  plead  the  cau.se 
of  his  people  before  his  great  father;  and,  if  he  should  fail  there,  to 
present  it  to  Congress.  But  he  had  one  great  difficulty  to  overcome, 
and  that  was  to  raise  the  money  to  pay  his  expenses  to  Washington. 
To  accomplish  this  he  opened  a  negotiation  with  a  Mr.  Risque, 
of  St.  Louis,  who  agreed  to  pay  his  expenses  to  Washington 
and  home  again,  for  "three  boxes  and  a  half  of  siher'" — equivalent 
to  three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  'i'bat  he  might  be 
punctual  in  paying  the  loan,  he  ordered  his  hunters  to  collect  furs 
and  peltries  of  suflicient  value,  and  have  them  ready  for  the  St. 
Louis  market,  in  time  to  redeem  his  pledge  for  the  return  of  the 
money.  This  being  done,  he  started  upon  his  mis.sion.  Arriving 
at  Washington,  he  explained  the  object  of  his  visit.  This  he  did 
in  a  firm  and  decided  manner.  The  authorities  recognized  his 
claim,  and  he  was  a.,..,urcd  that  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  in  favor 
of  his  people,  though  so  long  o\erlooked,  should  be  scrupulously 


NESOUAQUOIT 


141 


fiilfillofl,  and  rcspectoil  in  future.     Having  attained  tlie  object  of 
his  mission,  ho  returned  liomc,  highly  pleased  with  the  result. 

Tills  chief  is,  perhaps,  the  only  Indian  of  whom  it  can  be  said — 
he  iteixr  tasted  a  drop  of  spirit  nous  liquor  or  smoked  a  pipe !  Of 
many  thousands,  anil  j)erhaps  hundreds  of  thousands,  it  might  be 
trulv  aiiiimpd,  that  they  never  tasted  a  drop  of  spirituous  liquor, 
l)ut  that  was  before  this  bane  of  the  Indians  had  found  its  way 
into  their  country ;  but,  with  this  single  e.vceptiou,  we  believe  it 
can  be  said  of  no  Indian — he  never  smoked  a  pipe!  It  is  certainly 
remarkable  that,  in  the  present  abundance  of  these  aboriginal  luxu- 
ries, Nesouaquoit  should  have  the  Hrmncss  to  abstain  from  both. 

Ilis  antipathy  to  whisky  extends  to  those  who  sell  it.  He  will 
not  permit  a  whisky  dealer  to  enter  his  country.  Indeed,  when- 
ever a  trader,  not  informed  of  the  determined  purpose  of  this  chief 
to  keep  his  people  free  from  the  ruinous  efl'ects  of  whisky,  has 
strolled  within  his  borders,  he  has  been  known  to  knock  in  the 
heads  of  his  casks,  and  with  the  staves  boat  him  out  of  the  country. 
Though  thus  temperate,  and  free  from  the  exciting  influence  of 
whisky  and  tobacco,  Nesouaquoit  is  known  to  be  as  brave  an 
Indian  as  ever  made  a  moccason  track  between  the  Missouri  and 
Mississippi  rivers. 

This  chief  has  seven  wives,  who  live,  as  Indian  wives  generally 
do,  in  the  most  perfect  harmony  with  ea(;h  other.  lie  is  remarkable 
fur  his  generosity,  giving  freely  of  what  he  has  to  all  who  need 
assistance.  To  those  who  visit  his  lodge  he  is  represented  as  being 
most  courteous ;  and  this  exterior  polish  he  carefully  preserves  in 
his  intercourse  with  his  people.  But  his  aversion  to  traders  is 
perfect.  He  has  long  since  formally  interdicted  marriage  between 
ihem  and  the  women  of  his  band.  So  stern  is  his  resolution  on 
tills  point,  that  no  union  of  the  kind  has  been  known  since  he 
succeeded  to  the  rank  of  chief  In  his  deportment  towards  the 
whites  he  is  most  friendly,  but  he  maintains  his  own  rights  with 
lirmness  and  dignity. 


PETALESIIAIIJIO. 


We  have  occn  accustomed  from  childhood  to  hear  but  httlc  of 
tlio  Inchans,  except  in  connection  -vvi'li  scenes  of  blood.  The  bor- 
der wars,  with  their  tales  of  horror,  are  among  the  nursery  stories 
that  have  left  the  deepest  impressions  on  our  memories.  Tliis 
strife,  between  the  red  and  tlie  white  man,  is  coeval  with  the  first 
settlement  of  the  countr\',  and  it  continues  even  to  this  day.  The 
])roniinent  feature  in  this  long  period  of  excitement  and  of  war, 
and  that  on  wiiich  all  eyes  arc  more  intensely  fixed,  is  the  blood- 
thirsty cruelty  of  tlie  Indian.  This  has  been  so  often  dwelt  upon, 
and  presented  to  our  view  under  so  mnny  shocking  forms,  as  to 
keep  almost  constantly  before  our  eyes  the  war-club,  the  scalping- 
knife,  and  the  tomahawk,  together  with  the  ferocious  red  man  clad 
in  the  skins  of  beasts,  the  glare  of  whose  eyes,  with  his  attitude, 
and  his  blood-stained  limbs,  have  all  combined  to  fill  our  minds 
with  terror,  and  our  hearts  vvith  revenge.  Indeed,  we  have  been 
taught  to  consider  the  Indian  as  necessarily  bloodthirsty,  ferocious, 
and  vindictive,  until  we  have  viewed  him  as  a  being  deprived,  at 
the  creation  of  his  species,  of  those  faculties  whence  come  the 
nobler  and  more  generous  traits  which  are  the  boast  and  glory  of 
his  civili/ed  brother.  It  is  certainly  true  of  the  Indian,  tl:  it  his 
mode  of  warfare  is  barbarous.  He  spares  neither  age  nor  sex; 
and  his  victim  is  often  subjected  to  the  severest  tortures.  But  it 
is  no  less  true,  that  lie  has  never  been  taught  those  lessons  of 
humanity  which  have,  under  the  guidance  of  civilization  and  Chris- 
tianity, stript  war  of  all  its  more  appalling  horrors,  and  without 
which  we  should  be  no  less  savage  than  the  Indians.  Indeed  it 
1"  (143) 


144 


inOGUAPIIY. 


would  be  easy  to  (lemoiistrule,  tliiit  oven  wlicn  aided  hy  the  Ii;,dit 
of  civiliziitioii,  and  professing  to  be  Cliristiiuis,  tlie  white  man  is  no 
less  cruel  than  the  red  man;  and  often,  in  our  eontlicts  with  eaeii 
other,  we  eoine  fully  up  to  the  uuvago  muii  iu  all  that  is  barbarous 
and  revolting. 

In  our  wars  with  the  Indians  we  have  been  our  own  ehronielers. 
And  how  rarely  has  it  happened  that  justice  has  been  done  tho 
Indians,  not  only  as  to  the  causes  of  these  wars,  l)nt  to  the  conduct 
of  the  parties  to  them?  Every  thing  of  a  paUiative  nature  lias 
been  mimitely  registered,  to  justify  or  excuse  tlio  white  man,  whilst 
the  red  man  has  been  held  up  to  the  view  of  the  world,  and  eon- 
signed  over  to  the  judgment  of  posterity,  not  only  as  ///e  cai/se  of 
sanguinary  and  vindictive  eonlliets,  but  as  tlic  Moloch  of  tli  • 
liiiman  race.  The  Indian  lias  never  been  able  to  leave  a  record 
liis  wrongs;  to  illustrate  liis  own  position,  or  to  justify  the  dei  ^ 
rate  means  he  has  resorted  to  in  defence  of  his  inheritance  and  his 
life. 

However  true  it  is  that  the  Indian  mode  of  warfare  is  exclu- 
sively savage,  yet  there  are  excej)tions  to  its  barbarities;  and  we 
have  well  authenticated  instances  of  the  most  rellned  humanity, 
confirming  our  decided  belief,  tliat  tlie  Indian  is  not,  liy  any  law 
of  his  nature,  bereft  of  the  more  noble  qualities  which  are  the 
pride  and  boast  of  civilized  man,  or  that  he  is  ncccssarihj  savage. 
We  might  enumerate  many  cases  in  which  the  untutored  Indian 
has  melted  into  pity  at  sight  of  the  perilous  condition  of  the  white 
man,  and  at  the  very  moment  when  he  was  looked  upon  as  an 
invader  and  enemy.  The  most  beautiful  illustration  of  the  exist- 
ence of  this  feeling  in  the  Indian,  is  in  the  intervention  of 
Pocahontas,  to  save  the  life  of  Captain  Smith.  History  has 
recorded  that  deed,  and  tlie  civilized  Avorld  lias  unit(>d  in  award- 
ing its  plaudits  to  that  noble  ])rincess.  Her  memory  has  been 
embalmed  by  a  grateful  posterity.  At  the  siege  of  Detroit,  the 
garrison  owed  its  safety  to  the  agency  of  an  Indian  woman,  who 


pi:TAFj;siiAiino 


140 


made  luinwii  lo  llic  conirTiaii(liii;j;  odiccr  llic  jj1;iiis  (if  I'oiiliiic  for 
its  (Icsl ruction  and  niassacrc.  Fndccd,  llic  Indian  wnmi'n  aro 
rcinarkablo  for  Iho  ixcrcisd  of  tins  jrcucrons  fcciiii;! — v\cn  anion;^ 
the  Indians  it  is  a  coniinoii  occiirrcnco  for  (lu'in,  in  times  of 
cxcitc'incnt,  to  secrete  kiuves  and  guns,  and  all  kinds  of  iiistrn- 
inents  of  death;  and,  !)_)'  so  doing,  often  jtreveiil  tlie  shedding  of 
hlood. 

IJnl  tins  feeling  of  compassion,  this  l)oast  of  the  eivili/ed  man 
and  f 'hrislinn,  is  not  confined  to  the  Inilian  women.  We  aro  not 
uithont  e\am|iles  of  the  sani(!  sort  among  the  men.  The  famous 
I.ogan,  notwithstanding  the  wrongs  ho  was  made  to  endure,  in 
his  own  i)er.soii,  and  in  the  jier.sons  of  Ids  luniy  and  kindred, 
until  he  exriiiina'd,  in  all  tiie  l)itterness  of  bereiivoment,  "  T/icre 
runs  not  n  drop  aj'  my  hlooil  in  llic  reins  <if  (inij  living  crcritinr,"  has 
left  behind  him,  in  honor  of  his  memory,  a  noiile  specimen  of  this 
humane  feeling,  in  counselling  one  of  his  own  ea|)1ives,  who  was 
condemned  by  the  council  to  undergo  the  severe,  tortiu'es  of  th'! 
gauntlet,  how  to  cscajjo  it  ;  and  when,  afterwards,  this  same  captive 
was  condenuicd  to  bo  burned,  and  l.ogan,  linding  tliat  Ids  efforts 
;uid  his  eloquence  in  Ids  behalf  all  failed,  nobly  and  bravely 
advanced,  and  with  las  own  bands  release:'  the  prisoner  from  the 
slake  to  which  he  was  bound. 

But  wc  hasten  to  sketch  the  character  of  Pcfaksharro,  wdiose 
portrait  is  before  the  reader. 

Petalesharro  was  a  brave  of  the  Pawnee  tribe.  I  lis  father, 
Lcfahishan;  v\as  chief  of  his  band,  and  a  man  of  renown.  Petale- 
sharro early  imbibed  his  father's  spirit;  often,  no  doubt,  charmed 
wilii  the  songs  of  the  chief,  in  which  he  reeountcnl  the  battli's  he 
had  fought,  and  told  of  the  scalps  he  had  taken,  his  youthful  bosom 
heaved,  and  his  heart  resolved  to  imitate  the.se  deeds;  and,  in  his 
turn,  to  recount  his  warlike  exploits — tell  of  his  victories,  and  count 
the  scalps  he  had  taken.  Thus  impressed,  he  went  early  into 
battle,  and  soon  won  the  renown  and  the  title  of  a  "  brave  " 


146 


BIOGRAPHY. 


We  saw  him  in  Washington  in  1S21,  whither  he  was  sent  ait 
one  of  a  deputation  froi.i  his  tribe,  to  transact  business  with  the 
government.  He  was  dressed,  so  far  as  his  half-length  discloses  it, 
precisely  as  he  is  seen  in  the  portrait.  He  wore  a  head-dress  of 
the  feathers  of  the  war  eagle,  which  extended,  in  a  double  series, 
down  his  back  to  his  hips,  narrowing  as  it  descended.  His  robe 
wfis  thrown  carelessly  but  gracefully  over  his  shoulders,  leaving 
his  breast,  and  often  one  arm,  bare.  The  usual  garments  decorated 
his  hips  and  lower  limbs;  these  were  the  anzcum,  the  leggins,  and 
the  moccason,  all  ornamented.  The  youthful  and  feminine  cha- 
racter of  his  face,  and  the  humanity  of  its  expression,  were  all 
remarkable.  He  did  not  appear  to  be  older  than  twenty  years,  yet 
he  was  then  believed  to  be  twenty-five. 

A  fine  incident  is  connected  with  the  history  of  this  Indian. 
The  Pawnee  Loups  had  long  practised  the  sava^^c  rite,  known  to 
no  other  of  the  American  triltes,  ui  sacrificing  human  victims  to 
the  Gnnt  Star,  or  the  planet  Venus.  This  dreadful  ceremony 
annually  preceded  the  preparations  for  planting  corn,  and  was  sup- 
posed to  be  necessary  to  secure  a  fruitful  season.  To  j)revent  the 
failure  of  the  crop,  and  a  consequent  famine,  some  individual  was 
expected  to  offer  up  a  prisoner,  of  either  sex,  who  had  been  cap- 
tured in  war,  and  some  one  was  always  found  who  coveted  the 
honor  of  dedicating  the  spoil  of  his  prowess  to  the  national  benefit. 
The  intended  victim,  carefully  kept  in  ignorance  of  the  fate  tliat 
impended,  was  dres.sed  in  gay  apparel,  supplied  with  the  choicest 
food,  and  treated  witii  every  tenderness,  with  the  view  of  promoting 
obesity,  and  preparing  an  offering  the  more  acceptable  to  the  deities 
who  were  to  be  [iropiliated.  When,  by  the  successful  employment 
of  these  means,  the  unhappy  victim  was  sufficiently  fiitted,  a  day 
was  appointed  fc/r  the  sacrifice,  and  the  whole  nation  assembled  to 
witness  the  solemn  scene. 

Some  short  time  before  Pelalesliarro  was  deputed  to  visit  Wasli- 
ingloM,  it  chanced  that  an  Itean  maid,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner, 


PETALESIIARIIO. 


147 


was  (loomed  by  licr  captor  to  be  ofiered  up  to  the  Great  Star,  and 
was  prepared  with  tlic  usual  secrecy  and  care  for  llic  grand  occa- 
sion. The  grief  and  alarm,  incident  to  a  stale  of  captivity,  had 
been  allayed  by  deceptive  kindness,  and  the  gratefid  prisoner 
became  happy  in  the  society  of  strangers,  who  bestowed  upon  her  a 
(l(\grec  of  adulation  to  \,hich  she  had  probably  not  been  accustomed. 
Exempt  from  labor,  and  exalted  into  an  luiwonted  ease  of  life, 
she  soon  acquired  that  serenity  of  mind,  and  comeliness  of  person, 
which  rendered  her  worthy  of  being  ofiered  to  the  Great  Star,  as  a 
full  equivalent  for  an  abundant  harvest. 

The  reader  will  now  fancy  himself  in  view  of  the  great  gather- 
ing of  the  Pawnees,  and  that  he  is  in  sight  of  the  multitude  assem- 
bled in  honor  of  the  sacrifice.  In  his  near  approach  he  will  hear 
their  orgies.  In  the  midst  of  the  circle  a  stake  is  brought;  its  end 
is  sharpened,  wlion  it  is  driven  deep  into  tlie  ground.  Yells  and 
sliouts  announce  that  all  is  ready.  In  the  distance  is  seen  a  com- 
pany of  Pawnees;  by  the  side  of  the  leader  is  a  delicate  girl. 
They  approach  near.  He  who  made  her  captive  enters  the  circle — 
shouts  welcome  him.  He  takes  the  girl  by  the  hand,  and  leads  her 
to  the  fatal  spot.  Iler  back  is  placed  against  the  stake ;  cords  are 
brought,  and  she  is  bound  to  it.  Tlie  fagots  are  now  collected,  and 
j)laceu  around  the  victim.  A  hopeless  expression  is  seen  in  her 
eye — perhaps  a  tear !  Iler  bosom  heaves,  and  her  tlioughts  arc  of 
liome,  when  a  torch  is  seen  coming  from  the  woods  hard  by.  At 
that  moment  a  young  brave  leaps  into  tlie  midst  of  the  circle — 
r\islies  to  the  stake — tears  the  victim  from  it,  and  springing  on  a 
linrse,  and  throwing  her  rqwn  anotlier,  and  i  Ming  both  to  the  top 
of  tlieir  Sliced,  is  soon  lo.st  in  tlic  distance.  Silence  prevails — tlieii 
ninrinurs  arc  heard — tlien  tlie  loud  threat  •;  of  venijeance,  when  all 
retire.  The  stake  and  tlie  fagot  are  all  tliat  remain  to  mark 
the  spot  which,  but  for  this  noide  deed,  ashes  and  bones  wc.t.ld 
have  dr.stinguished.  Who  was  it  tliat  intrejiidly  released  the  cap- 
tive maid  .'     It  was  the  young,  the  brave,  the  generous  Pclalesharm  ' 


148 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Wlictlier  it  was  panic,  or  the  dread  of  Latalasliaw's  vengeance 
tliat  operated,  and  kept  the  warriors  from  using  their  bows  and 
arrows,  and  rillcs,  is  not  known,  but  certain  it  is  they  did  not  use 
them. 

Our  readers  will,  perhaps,  expect  to  liear  tliat  Petalesharro  con- 
ducted tlic  maiden  to  her  own  people,  and  received  the  reward 
which  valor  deserves  from  beauty.  IJut  mere  gallantry  formed  no 
part  of  this  adventure.  It  was  not  induced,  nor  rewarded,  by  love. 
The  Indian  is  very  scriptural  in  his  belief  that  man  is  the  head 
of  the  woman;  but  he  is  equally  strong  in  the  faith,  that  the  female, 
if  she  has  fair  I)lay,  is  quite  as  alilc  to  take  care  of  herself  as  a 
man.  Having  escorted  her  into  the  broad  plains,  beyond  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  Pawnee  village,  and  supplied  her  with  provisions,  he 
admonished  lier  to  make  the  best  of  her  way  to  her  own  nation, 
which  was  distant  about  four  hundred  miles,  and  left  her  to  her 
fate  and  her  reflections.  She  lost  no  lime  in  obeying  such  salutary 
counsel,  and  had  the  good  fortune,  the  ne.xt  day,  to  fall  in  with  a 
war  party  of  her  own  people,  by  whom  she  was  safely  carried 
home. 

Car  liie  records  of  chivalry  furnish  a  parallel  to  this  generous 
act?  Can  the  civilized  world  bring  forward  a  case  demonstrating 
a  liigher  order  of  humanity,  united  with  greater  bravery  ?  Whence 
did  the  youthful  Petalesharro  learn  this  lesson  of  refined  pity? 
Not  of  civilized  man.  Great  as  have  been  the  efforts  of  the  good 
and  the  merciful,  from  the  d;iys  of  -Eliot  and  Drainard  to  our  own 
times,  to  enlighten  the  Indians,  none  had  ever  yet  reached  the 
Vairnirs,  to  instruct  them,  or  to  enrajjture  their  thoughts  by  such 
beautiful  illustrations  of  the  merciful.  It  was  the  impulse  of 
nature — nature  cast  in  a  more  refined  moukl ;  and,  proljably,  as 
the  sequel  will  show,  nurtured  l)y  the  blood  and  spirit  of  a  noble 
though  un'aught  fatlier. 

The  tidings  of  this  deed  accompanied  Petal<>sharro  to  Washing- 
ton,    lie  and  his  deed  .soon  became  the  theme  of  the  city.     The 


PETALESHARRO. 


149 


Iho 


ladies,  especially,  as  is  their  nature,  hastened  1o  do  him  honor.  A 
medal  was  prej  .ired.  A  time  was  appointed  for  conferring  upon 
liiin  this  merited  gift.  An  assendjly  had  collected  to  witness  th  ■ 
ceremony.  He  was  told,  in  substance,  that  the  medal  was  givtn 
liim  in  token  of  the  high  opinion  which  was  eniertained  of  his  act 
ill  the  rescue  of  the  Itean  maid.  He  was  asked,  by  the  ladies  who 
presented  it,  to  accept  and  wear  it  for  their  sake ;  and  told,  when 
lie  had  another  occasion  to  save  a  captive  woman  from  toiture,  and 
from  the  stake,  to  look  upon  the  medal,  think  of  those  who  gave 
it,  and  save  her,  as  he  had  saved  the  Itcan  girl.  The  reply  of 
Petalesharro  was  ])rompt  and  excellent,  but  the  interpretation  of 
it  was  shocking!  He  was  made  to  .say,  "I  did  it  (rescued  the  girl) 
in  icjiiniance.  I  did  not  know  that  I  diJ  (jood!  I  now  know  that  I 
(lid  good,  by  your  giving  me  this  medal."  We  understood  him  to 
mean  this;  and  so,  we  have  no  doubt,  he  spoke,  in  substance, 
though  not  in  our  words: — "He  did  not  know,  till  now,  that  the 
act  he  liad  performed  was  meritorious;  but,  as  ins  white  bidlLers 
and  sisters  con.sidcred  it  a  good  act,  and  put  upon  it  so  high  a 
value,  he  was  glad  they  had  heard  of  it  W'v  would  almost  ven- 
ture to  represent  the  words  of  the  brave  ir.  reply  to  the  coinpliment. 
We  saw  the  medal  put  on  his  neck,  and  saw  hiiu  tidce  it  in  his 
hand,  and  look  at  it.  Ihilding  it  before  him,  he  said — "T!iis  brings 
rest  to  my  heart.  I  feel  like  the  leaf  after  a  storm,  and  when  tlie 
wind  is  still.  I  listen  to  you.  I  am  glad.  I  love  the  pale  faces 
more  than  ever  I  did,  and  will  open  my  ears  wider  when  the- 
speak.  I  am  glad  you  heard  of  what  I  did.  I  did  not  know  the 
act  was  so  good.  It  came  from  my  heart.  I  was  ignorant  of  its 
value.  I  now  Icnow  how  good  it  was.  You  make  me  know  this 
by  ixiving  me  this  medal." 

The  rescue  of  tlie  Itean  sxirl  might,  if  a  solitary  act,  be  looked 
upon  as  the  result  of"  impulse,  and  not  as  proceeding  from  a  gene- 
rous nature.  It  happens,  however,  not  to  stand  alone,  a-;  li  c  onlv 
incident  of  the  sort  in  the  life  of  Petalesharro.     One  of  his  brother 


150 


BIOGRAPHY. 


warriors  had  brought  in  a  captive  boy.  He  was  a  Spaniard.  The 
captor  resolved  to  offer  him  in  sacrifice  to  the  Great  Star.  The 
chief,  Letalashaw,  had  been  for  some  time  opposed  to  these  barba- 
rous rites.  He  sent  for  the  warrior,  and  told  him  he  did  not  wish 
him  to  make  the  sacrifice.  The  warrior  claimed  his  right,  under  the 
immemorial  usages  of  the  tribe.  They  parted.  Letalashi.w  sent 
for  his  son,  and  asked  what  was  to  be  done  to  divert  the  captor 
from  his  purpose.  Petalesharro  promptly  replied:  "I  will  take  the 
boy,  like  a  brave,  by  force."  The  father  thought,  no  doubt,  that 
danger  would  attend  upon  the  act,  and  resolved  on  a  more  pacific 
mode.  It  was  to  buy  the  boy.  He  accordingly  gave  out  his  inten- 
tion, and  tho.sc  who  had  goods  of  any  kind,  brought  them  to  his 
lodge,  and  laid  them  down  as  an  offering  on  the  pile  which  the 
chief  had  supplied  .'.om  his  own  stores.  The 'collection  having 
been  made,  the  captor  was  again  sent  for,  an<l,  in  the  authoritative 
tone  of  a  chief  tlius  .addressed:  "Take  these  goods,  and  give  me 
the  boy."  He  refused,  when  the  chief  seized  his  war-club  and 
flourished  il  cxc:  the  head  of  the  captor.  At  the  moment,  Petale- 
sharro sp.oP.g  forward,  and  said — "Strike!  and  let  the  wrath  of 
his  friends  fall  on  me."  The  caj)tor,  making  a  merit  of  necessity, 
agreed,  if  a  few  more  articles  were  added,  to  give  up  the  boy  to 
the  chief.  They  were  added,  and  thus  the  captive  was  saved.  The 
merchandise  was  sacrificed  instead  of  the  boy.  The  cloth  was  cut 
into  shreds,  and  suspended  upon  poles,  at  the  spot  upon  which  the 
blood  of  the  victim  had  iiccn  proposed  to  be  shed,  and  the  remain- 
der of  tlie  artick's  huriicd  Xo  subsequent  attem])t  to  immolate  a 
victim  was  made. 

Petalesharro  succeeded  his  father  in  the  chieftainship  of  his 
tribe,  and  became  highly  distinguished  in  that,  station. 

We  conclude  this  sketch  with  the  following  stanzas,  published, 
some  years  ago,  in  the  "New  York  Commercial  Advertiser,"  un 
the  rescue  of  the  Itcan  maid. 


PETALESHARRO. 


151 


THE  PAWNEE  BRAVE. 

The  summer  had  fled,  but  there  linger'd  still 

A  warmth  in  the  clear  blue  skies ; 
The  flowers  were  gone,  and  the  night  wind's  chiU 
Had  robed  tiie  forest  and  the  woody  hill 

In  richest  of  Autumn  dyes. 

The  battle  was  fought,  and  the  deadly  strife 

Had  ceased  on  the  Prairie  plains; 
Each  tomahawk— spear— and  keen-edged  knife 
Was  red  with  the  current  of  many  a  life 

It  bore  from  the  severed  veins. 

The  Pawnee  followed  his  victor  band 

That  sped  to  their  home  afar— 
The  river*  is  passed,  and  again  they  stand, 
A  trophied  throng,  on  their  own  broad  land, 

Recounting  the  deeds  of  war. 

A  beautiful  captive  maid  was  there, 

Bedeck'd  as  a  warrior's  bride— 
The  glossy  braids  of  her  ebon  hair, 
Interwoven  with  gems,  and  adorned  with  care, 

With  the  jet  of  the  raven  vied. 

Her  beaded  robes  were  skilfully  wrought 

With  shells  Aoni  the  river  isles. 
The  fairest  that  wash  iioni  the  ocean,  brought 
From  the  sands  by  a  brave  young  Chief,  who  sought 

The  meed  of  her  sweetest  smiles. 

Beneath  tlie  boughs  of  an  ancient  oak. 
They  came  to  the  council  ground: 


•  The  batUe  alluded  to  was  fought  with  a  trans-Mi^sissippian  tribe. 
40 


15S 


BIOGRAPHY. 

No  eloquent  tongue  for  the  maiden  spoke, 
She  was  quickly  doomed, — and  their  shouts  awoke 
The  woods  to  the  piercing  sound. 

And  when  on  her  olive  cheek,  a  tear 

Stole  out  from  her  lustrous  eye, 
A  youth  from  th'  exulting  crowd  drew  near, 
And  whispered  words  in  her  startled  ear 

That  told  she  was  not  to  die. 

They  hurried  away  to  the  fatal  spot, 

Deep  hid  in  the  forest  shade, 
And  bound  her  fast ;  but  she  murmured  not ; — 
They  bared  her  breast  for  the  rifle  shot, 

And  brow  for  the  scalping  blade. 

Then  forth  to  the  work  of  death  they  came. 

While  the  loud  death  song  was  heard  : 
A  hunter  skilled  in  the  chase,  whose  aim 
Ne'er  missed  the  heart  of  his  mountain  game- 
He  waited  the  signal  word. 

One  instant  more,  ere  the  maid  should  bleed, 

A  moment  and  all  were  done — 
The  Pawnee  sprang  from  his  noble  steed. 
Unloosed  her  hands,  and  the  captive  freed — 

A  moment — and  they  were  gone  ! 

Then  swift  as  the  speed  of  wind,  away 

To  her  distant  home  they  hied — 
And  just  at  the  sunset  hour  of  day. 
Ere  the  evening  dew  on  the  meadow  lay, 

She  stood  at  her  father's  side. 


SIIINGABA  W'OSSIN. 


Shingaba  W'Ossin,  or  Image  Stone,  was  a  Chippewa,  and  first 
chief  of  his  band.  In  summer,  he  lived  on  the  banks  of  the  St. 
Mary's,  at  tlie  outlet  of  Lake  Superior — in  winter,  he  retired  with 
his  band  to  his  hunting-grounds.  Fish  was  his  food  in  summer ; 
in  winter,  he  subsisted  on  the  carcasses  of  animals,  whose  fur  was 
tlie  great  object  of  his  winter's  toils,  it  being  the  medium  of 
exchange  with  the  traders  for  blankets,  strouds,  calico,  ammunition, 
vermilion,  &c.,  and  such  articles  of  necessity  or  of  ornament,  as  he 
and  his  people  required. 

Shingaba  W'Ossin  was  one  of  the  most  influential  men  in  the 
Chippewa  nation.  lie  was  deservedly  esteemed,  not  only  by  the 
Indians,  but  by  the  whites  also,  for  his  good  .sense,  and  respectful 
and  conciliating  deportment.  In  his  person  he  was  tall,  well  propor- 
tioned, and  of  a  commanding  and  dignified  aspect.  In  council,  he 
was  remarkable  for  a  deliberate  and  thoughtful  manner;  in  social 
intercourse,  no  less  so  for  his  cheerfulness.  He  was  disposed  to  be 
familiar,  yet  never  descended  to  frivolity.  He  was  of  the  totem  of 
the  Crane,  the  ancient  badge  of  the  chiefs  of  this  once  powerful 
band. 

War  is  the  glory  of  the  Indian.  He  who  dissuades  from  war  is 
usually  regarded  as  a  coward  ;  but  Shingaba  W'Ossin  was  the 
imiform  advocate  of  peace,  yet  his  bravery  was  never  questioned 
Perhaps  his  exemption  from  the  imputation  of  cowardice  was 
owing  to  his  having,  when  but  a  j^outli,  joined  several  war  parties 
against  the   Sioux,  those  natural  and  implacable  enemies  of  Ins 


164 


BIOGRAPHY. 


people,  to  reach  whom  1  e  had  to  travel  at  least  five  hundred  miles. 
He  is  said  to  have  distinguished  himself  at  the  great  battle  on  the 
St.  Croix,  whicli  terminated  the  feud  between  the  Chippewas  and 
the  Foxes.  In  that  battle  he  fought  vmder  the  northern  Alaric, 
Waah-Ojeeg. 

We  hope  to  be  excused  for  introducing,  in  this  place,  some 
remarlis  upon  tliis  extraordinary  chieftain,  especially  as  the  few 
incidents  we  shall  use  are  from  our  own  work,  published  in  1827. 

We  made  our  voyage  up  Lake  Superior  in  1826.  So  late  as  that, 
the  name  of  Waab-Ojeeg  was  never  spoken  but  in  connection  with 
some  tradition  exemplifying  his  great  powers  as  a  chief  and  warrior. 
He  was  a  man  of  discretion,  and  far  in  advance  of  his  people  in 
those  energies  of  the  mind  which  command  respect,  wherever  and 
in  whomsoever  they  are  found.  He  was,  like  Pontiac  and  Tecumthe, 
exceedingly  jealous  of  the  white  man.  This  jealousy  was  manifested 
when  the  hand  of  his  daughter,  O-shaw-ous-go-day-nay-gua,  was 
solicited  by  Mr.  Johnson,  the  accomplishes'  Irish  gentleman,  who 
resided  so  many  years  after  at  the  Sault  de  St.  Mary,  and  who  was 
not  better  known  for  his  intelligence  and  polished  manners,  than 
for  his  hospit.ality.  He  lived  long  enough  to  merit  and  receive  the 
appellation  of  Patriarch  of  the  Sault.  Tliis  gentleman  was  a 
native  of  Dublin  or  Belfast,  in  Ireland.  In  the  course  of  his 
travels,  he  arrived  at  Montreal,  when  he  determined  to  ascend  the 
great  chain  of  lakes  to  the  head  waters  of  Lake  Superior.  On 
arriving  at  Michael's  Island„he  heard  of  Waab-Ojeeg,  whose  village 
lay  across  the  strait  which  divides  the  island  from  the  main.  He 
made  him  a  visit.  Being  well  received,  he  remained  some  time, 
formed  an  attachment  to  his  dauglitcr,  and  solicited  permission  to 
marry  her.  Waab-Ojeeg  replied  to  his  request  thus : — "  White 
man,  I  have  noticed  your  behavior.  It  has  been  correct.  But, 
wliitc  man,  your  color  is  (hcciifnl.  Of  you,  may  I  expect  better 
things?  You  say  you  are  going  to  return  to  Montreal — go;  and 
if  you  return,  I  shall  be  satisfied  of  your  sincerity,  and  will  give 


SHINGABA   W'OSSIN. 


150 


you  my  daughter."  Mr.  Jolinson,  being  honest  in  his  professions, 
went  to  Montreal,  and  returned,  when  the  chief  fulfilled  his  pro- 
mise. The  amiable,  excellent,  and  accomplished  Mrs.  Schoolcraft, 
wife  of  Henry  R.  Schoolcraft,  Esq.,  so  favorably  known  as  a  tour- 
ist and  mineralogist,  and  a  family  of  as  interesting  children  as  we 
mot  with  in  our  travels,  are  the  fruits  of  this  marriage. 

Waab-Ojeeg  used  to  stimulate  his  warriors  to  battle  by  singing  a 
favorite  war  song.  Doubtless  Shingaba  W'Ossin,  on  the  memo- 
rable occasion  referred  to,  felt  the  stirring  influence  of  this  song. 
We  received  the  following  translation  of  it  from  Mr.  Johnson,  to 
whom  the  Chippewa  language  was  quite  familiar. 

On  that  day  when  our  heroes  lay  low,  lay  low. 
On  that  day  when  our  heroes  lay  low  ; 
I  fought  by  their  side,  and  thought,  ere  I  died, 
Just  vengeance  to  take  of  the  foe,  the  foe, 
Just  vengeance  to  take  of  the  foe. 

On  that  day  when  our  chieftains  lay  dead,  Liy  dead, 
On  that  day  when  our  chieftains  lay  dead ; 
I  fought  hand  to  hand,  at  the  head  of  my  band. 
And  here  on  my  breast  have  I  bled,  have  I  bled, 
And  here  on  my  breast  have  I  bled. 

Our  chiefs  shall  return  no  more,  no  more, 

Our  chiefs  shall  return  no  more ; 

And  their  brothers  in  war,  who  can't  show  scar  for  scar, 

Like  women  their  fates  shall  deplore,  deplore. 

Like  women  their  fates  shall  deplore. 


Fine  winters  in  hunting  we'll  spend,  we'll  spend. 
Fine  winters  in  hunting  we'll  spend ; 
Then  our  youth  grown  to  men,  to  the  war  lead  again, 
And  our  days  like  our  fathers  we'll  end,  we'll  end, 
And  our  days  like  our  fathers  we'll  end. 


156 


BIOGRAPHY. 


It  is  not  surprising  that,  under  sucli  a  loader,  Shiiigaba  W'Ossin 
should  acquire  fame  sufTn-iout  to  make  good  his  claims  to  bravery 
in  after  life.  Thus  fortified  at  the  jioint  where  the  Indian,  no  less 
than  llie  white  man,  is  peculiarly  sensitive,  he  could  counsel  his 
band  to  cultivate  peace,  and  attend  to  tlie  more  important  concerns 
of  hunting,  without  the  danger  of  h/.sing  his  influence  over  them. 
"  If  my  hunters,"  he  would  say,  "  will  not  take  the  game,  but  will 
leave  the  chase  and  join  the  war  parties,  our  women  and  children 
must  sufiur.  If  the  game  is  not  tra[)ped,  where  will  be  our  packs 
of  furs?  And  if  we  have  no  furs,  how  shall  we  get  blankets? 
Then  when  winter  comes  again,  we  shall  perish !  It  is  time  enough 
to  fight  when  the  war  drum  sounds  near  you — when  your  enemies 
approach — then  it  is  I  shall  expect  to  see  you  painted  for  war,  and 
to  hear  your  whoops  resonnd  in  the  mountains ;  and  then  you  will 
see  me  at  your  head  with  my  arm  bared — 

'  Just  vengeance  to  take  on  the  foe.'  " 

Besides  thus  wisely  counselling  his  people  to  live  in  peace,  and 
follow  the  chase,  he  gave  much  of  his  time  to  attending  the  public 
councils  convened  under  the  authority  of  our  government.  The.se 
councils,  in  those  regions  especially,  had  for  their  principal  object  the 
adjustment  of  boundaries  between  the  tribes— encroachments  upon 
each  otlHM-'s  territory  being  the  principal  cause  of  war.  Councils  of 
pacification  wore  held  in  IS^.*),  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  on  the  Upper 
Mississippi;  at  the  Fond  du  Lac  Sujjcrior,  in  1820;  and  at  the 
Butte  des  Morts,  on  the  Fox  river  of  Lake  Michigan,  in  1827. 
Shingaba  WO.ssin  attended  eacli  of  these  councils,  and  signtnl  the 
treaties.  We  were  present  at  the  two  last,  and  witnessed  the  good 
conduct  and  extraordinary  influence  of  tlie  subject  of  this  brief 
memoir.  At  the  council  of  Fond  du  Lac,  Sliingaba  W'Ossin  was 
the  first  to  respond  to  the  commissioners.     lie  spoke  as  follows  : 

"My  relations — Our  fathers  have  spoken  to  us  about  the  lino 
made  at  the  Prairie.     With  this  I  and  toy  band  are  satisfied.     You 


SIIINGABA   W'OSSIN. 


Ifi? 


will)  live  on  the  Hue  arc  inofst  intcrcislcd.  'I'o  yow  1  h  ivo  tiio 
Mibject.  The  line  was  left  unfinished  last  sununer,  but  will  bo 
linishcd  this. 

"  Mij  relations — The  land  to  be  provided  for  my  half-breeds,  I  will 
select.     1  leave  it  to  you  to  provide  your  reserves  for  your  own. 

"  J/y  Jrunds — Our  fathens  have  come  here  to  establish  a  school 
at  the  Sault.  Our  great  father  over  the  hills  (meaning  the  President 
of  the  United  States)  has  said  this  would  bt;  well.  I  am  willing, 
It  may  bo  a  good  thing  for  those  who  wish  to  send  their  children. 

"  Mij  brothers — Our  fathers  have  not  come  here  to  speak  hard 
words  to  us.  Do  not  think  so.  They  have  brought  us  bread  to 
eat,  clothing  to  wear,  and  tobacco  to  smoke. 

"  Mij  brothers — Take  notice.  Our  great  father  has  been  at  rnucl. 
trouble  to  make  us  live  as  one  family,  and  to  make  our  path  clear. 
The  morning  was  cloudy.  The  Great  Spirit  has  scattered  those 
clouds.     So  have  our  dilliculties  passed  away. 

"  Ml/ J'riends — Our  lathers  have  come  here  to  embrace  their 
children.  Listen  to  what  they  say.  It  will  be  good  for  you.  If 
you  have  any  copper  on  your  lands,  I  advise  you  to  sell  it.  It  is 
of  no  use  to  us.  They  can  make  articles  out  of  it  for  our  use.  If 
any  one  has  any  knowledge  on  this  subject,  I  ask  him  to  bring  it 
to  light. 

"  Mij  brothers — Let  us  determine  soon.  We,  as  well  as  our 
fathers,  are  anxious  to  go  hoipj.  ' 

This  talk  was  taken  down  as  it  was  interpreted,  and  in  the  words 
of  the  interpreter.  A  good  deal  of  the  speaker's  style  is  no  doubt 
lost.  Critics  tell  us  that  Pope,  in  his  admirable  translation  of 
Homer,  has  failed  to  show  tlie  father  of  poetry  to  his  readers  in  his 
original  costume.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  an  Indian 
interpreter  should  make  the  Indian  talk  like  a  white  man.  There  is 
enough  in  this  address  of  the  old  chief,  however,  to  show  that  lu; 
was  a  man  of  sense  and  diserelion.  A  few  explanatory  remarks 
may  make  this  more  apiiarent.     I'lie  "line,"  to  which  he  referred, 


158 


HIOGUAI'IIY. 


was  tlio  jiroposcd  bouiidary  between  llio  Sioux  and  Cliijjpcwas. 
lie  and  liis  band,  living  five  hundred  miles  from  it,  were  not  so 
immediately  interested  as  were  those  bands  who  bordered  it. 
Hence,  allhough  he  and  his  band  were  satisfied  with  it,  ho  referred 
it  to  his  "  relations,"  who  were  more  inmiediatcly  concerned,  and 
whoso  peace  and  lives  depended  upon  its  suitable  and  harmonious 
adjustment,  to  decide  for  themselves. 

The  next  subject  was  one  of  great  importance  to  the  whole 
Chippewa  nation.  It  had  for  some  time  engaged  the  attention  of 
Shingaba  \V'Os.sin ;  and  the  proposition  originated  with  him.  It 
■was,  that  reservations  of  land  should  be  laid  off  in  the  most  genial 
and  productive  situations,  and  a.ssigned  to  the  half-breeds,  '.o  be 
cultivated  by  them.  The  wisdom  and  humanity  of  the  measure 
will  appear,  when  the  reader  is  informed  that,  almost  tlie  whole 
country  of  the  Chippcwas  is  sterile,  and  that  scar(;ely  any  vege- 
tables do,  or  can  grow  in  it.  The  soil  is  cold  and  barren ;  and 
winter  pervades  so  much  of  the  year,  that  if  seed  of  any  kind  be 
sown,  except  in  the  most  favorable  situations,  the  frosts  overtake 
and  destroy  the  hoped  for  increase  before  it  arrives  at  maturity. 
The  Chippcwas  suffer  greatly  by  reason  of  their  climate,  and  when, 
from  any  cause,  they  fail  in  their  hunts,  many  of  them  perish  with 
cold  and  of  starvation.  The  frequent  recurrence  of  this  calamity 
led  Shingaba  W'Ossin  to  consider  how  it  might  be  provided  against. 
He  saw  the  military  gardens  at  the  Sault,  and  those  of  Mr.  John- 
son, producing,  by  the  culture  that  was  bestowed  upon  them,  large 
crops  of  potatoes  and  other  roots.  It  occurred  to  him,  that,  if  the 
half-breeds  of  his  nation  could  be  induced  to  profit  by  such  exam- 
ples, they  might  husband  away  these  products  of  llie  earth,  and 
when  the  dreaded  famine  should  threaten  them,  tliey  could  retire 
to  the  neighborhood  of  those  provisions  and  be  preserved.  In 
pursuance  of  his  earnest  entretities,  and  seeing  in  the  plan  every- 
thing to  recommend  it,  and  nothing  to  oppose  it,  the  commissioners 
inserted  an  article  in  the  treaty  making  the  provision,  and  accom- 


SHINGABA   W'OSSIN. 


15» 


pjiiiic'd  it  with  n  xclicdiilo  of  tlic  uami's  of  those  hiilf-brcods  that 
were  givou  in  by  the  chiefs  of  the  vnrious  IkukIs,  and  who,  it  was 
iiitciidt'd,  sho  dd  eiitfatrt^  in  this  new  cinployiiiciit.  The  jicrsoiis,  to 
wliDiii  it  was  pniposcd  to  iiiak(;  tlicso  n^raiils,  were  prohiliitcd  tlie 
l)rivik-<j[c  of  conveying  tlie  same,  without  the  permission  of  tlie 
President  of  the  United  States. 

This  arlicU)  in  tlic  treaty  was  not  ratifu.'d  liy  tlie  Senate.  So  tlio 
old  chief  was  saved  the  tro\djle  of  selecting  situations  of  the  half- 
l)reeds  of  his  hand;  as  were  his  "relations,"  to  whom  he  h'ft  it  to 
"j)rovide  reserves"  ft)r  theirs. 

Shingaha  W'Ossjn  was  the  patron  of  the  school  that  has  since 
been  established  at  the  Satdt  for  the  education  of  Indian  eiiildrcn, 
and  advised  that  the  thousand  dollar  annuity,  the  only  annuity  that 
the  tribe  receives,  shonhl  Ix-  appropriated  for  its  support.  It  was 
accordingly  done.  He  was  not  an  advocate  for  school  kiiovvledire 
in  his  own  family,  but  remarlicd  that  some  of  the  C'hippewas  might 
profit  by  it.     In  this  he  gave  proof  of  his  disinterestedness. 

The  largest  mass  of  virgin  <iopi)er,  of  ^^hich  we  have  any  know- 
ledge, is  in  the  Chipj)ew'a  country.  It  is  supjjosed  to  weigh  from 
twenty-five  hundred  to  three  thousand  pounds.  The  existence  of 
this  mass,  and  the  fact  that  j)i(!ccs  of  copper  were  brought  in  by 
the  Indians  who  assembled  from  many  ])arts  of  their  country  to 
attend  the  council,  induced  the  belief  that  the  country  abounded 
in  this  metal.  The  commissioners  endeavored  to  obtain  all  the 
knowledge  they  could  on  this  subject,  and  their  inquiries  were 
responded  to  by  Shingaba  WOssin,  in  the  manner  as  indicated  in 
his  talk. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  remark,  that  this  huge  specimen  of 
virgin  copper  lies  about  thirty-five  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the 
Ontanagon  of  Lake  Superior;  and  on  the  west  bank  of  that  river, 
a  few  paces  only  altove  low  water  mark.  An  intelligent  gentleman, 
who  accompanied  a  party  sent  by  the  comniissioners  from  the 
Fond  du  Lac,  for  the  purpose  of  disengaging  this  «ipeciinen  of 
21 


100 


BIOGRAPHY. 


copper  from  its  bod,  and  transporting  it  down  the  lakes  to  the  Erie 
Canal.  u,n]  tlicnce  to  New  York  and  Washington,  says: — "  It  con- 
sists of  pure  coj)j)er,  ramified  in  every  ilireetion  tliroiigh  a  mass  of 
stone  (mostly  serpentine,  intermixed  with  caleiireous  spar)  in  vein.s 
of  one  to  Uirec  ineliL'S  in  diameter;  and  in  .some  parts  exhibiting 
masses  of  pure  metal  of  one  hundred  pounds  weight." 

It  \v;is  found  iiiqxssible,  owing  to  "lh(^  ehaniiel  of  the  river 
being  intercepted  by  ridges  of  sand.stone,  forming  three  cataracts, 
with  a  descent  in  all.  of  about  seventy  feet,"  to  remove  this  great 
national  curiosity.  Specimens  were  broken  from  it,  .some  of  which 
wo  ascertained  were  nearly  as  pure  as  a  silver  tlollar,  losing,  in 
fusion,  a  residuum  of  only  one  part  iti  twenty-seven.  Evidences 
were  disclosed,  in  prying  this  rock  nf  copper  from  its  position,  con- 
firming the  liistorv  of  the  past,  which  records  the  efforts  of  compa- 
nies to  extract  wealth  from  the  mines  that  were  supposed  to  abound 
there.  'I'hcse  cviilences  consisted  in  chisels,  axes,  and  various 
implements  which  are  used  in  mining.  It  is  highly  probal)lo  thai 
tills  copper  rock  may  have  once  been  of  larger  dimensions — since 
tiioso  who  work'il  at  it,  no  rloubt,  took  away  specimens,  as  have 
ail  persons  who  have  since  visited  it. 

It  was  in  refereni-e  to  the  wish  of  the  commissioners  to  obtain 
every  possible  iidormation  respecting  the  existence  of  copper  in 
the  Chipi)ewa  country,  that  Shingaba  WOssin  was  induced  to 
say — "If  any  one  has  any  knowledge  on  this  suliject,  I  ask  him 
to  l)ring  it  to  light."  In  tloimr  this,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel, 
he  [(laced  himself  above  the  si/prrsfi/iniis  of  his  peojile,  w  ho  regard 
tliis  mass  of  copper  as  a  manitou. 

Being  weatherbound  a'  ihc  portage  of  Point  Kewewcna,  we  had 
an  o]>portunity  of  observing  the  habits  of  Shingaba  WOssin;  and 
occasionally  to  hear  him  t;dk.  During  tliis  tim(\  the  old  chief 
made  frequent  visits  to  our  tent,  always  in  company  w  illi  a  voung 
Indian  who  attended  him.  At  this  time  he  wa  ?  a  goorl  deal  con- 
cerned   about    a   blindness    which   tiireatened    him.       lie   spoke 


SIIINGABA   W'OSSIN. 


161 


l)rlii('i[)ailv  of  this,  hut  never  witliout  sayiii|,f  soineUiiiig  in  tavor 
of  hii  attendant.  Among  otlier  tilings,  lie  said — "Father,  I  have 
not  the  eyes  I  once  had.  1  now  am  old.  I  think  soon  this  great 
world  will  be  hid  from  me.  But  the  Great  Spirit  is  good.  I  want 
you,  father,  to  hear  me.  This  young  man  is  eyes  to  me,  and  hands 
too.  Will  you  not  be  good  to  him?''  At  each  visit,  however, 
inllamed  as  were  the  old  chief 's  e^'es,  ho  would,  like  other  Indian.s, 
be  most  gratelid  for  a  little  whisky;  and  like  them,  too,  when  he 
tasted  a  little,  he  wanted  more.  It  is  impossijjle  to  conceive  the 
ratio  -with  which  tiieir  wants  increase,  after  a  first  taste.  The 
( ll'ccts  are  maddening.  Often,  to  e.ijoy  a  repetition  of  the  beve- 
rage, have  instances  occurred,  in  which  life  itself  has  been  taken, 
when  it  stood  between  'he  Indian  and  tiiis  cherished  object  of  his 
deli'dit.  Shinyfaba  WCssin  wnuld  indul-fe  in  the  use  of  this 
destructive  beverage,  occasionally ;  but  even  when  most  under  its 
inlluence,  ho  was  harmle.ss — so  generally  had  the  kindly  feelings 
lalien  possession  of  him.  On  the  occasion  referred  to,  we  found 
him  to  be  gentle,  ol)liging,  and  free  fnnii  all  asperities  of  manner 
or  temper.  He  was  then  in  his  sixty-third  year,  and  used  to  assist 
in  the  management  of  his  canoe,  and  in  all  the  business  connected 
with  the  prosecution  of  his  voyage.  lie  ke])t  company  with  us  to 
the  Fond  dii  Lac;  not  alwavs,  however,  encamping  where  we  did. 
The  old  man  and  his  party  partook  of  our  refreshments;  and  when 
he  would  meet  with  any  of  ids  peo|)lc  who  had  been  taking  fish, 
he  never  failed  to  procure  some,  and  al\\\ys  divided  his  good  luck 
with  us — appearing  liapj)y  to  have  something  to  oiler  in  return  for 
our  attentions  to  him. 

Shingaba  WOssin's  father  was  named  Mfii'il-O-Saligce.  He 
was  the  chief  and  chronicler  of  his  tribe.  With  him  die(l  much 
of  tlicir  traditionary  information,  lie  was  also  noted  Ibr  the  tales 
which  he  related  for  the  amusement  of  the  young.  But  he  was  ii 
voluptuary.  He  married  four  wives,  three  of  whom  were  si.slers. 
By   these   wives   he   had    twenty    children.      Each  of   the   male 


162 


BIOGRAPHY. 


childron,  iu  time,  deemed  himself  a  legitimate  chief,  and  attached 
to  himself  some  followers.  Political  divisions  were  the  con.se- 
qucnce.  The  harmony  of  tlie  band  was  thus  destroyed,  and  the 
j)ostcrity  of  the  ancient  chief  scattered  along  the  waters  of  the 
tSt.  Mary's. 

The  superior  intellect  of  Shingaba  W'Ossin,  in  these  times 
of  contention  for  the  supremacy,  became  manifest.  He  secured 
the  respect  and  conlidence  of  his  band,  and  was  at  last  acknow- 
ledged as  the  N/tti/?n,  or  fir.st  man.  His  band  became  more  and 
more  attached  to  him,  until,  on  all  hands,  the  choice  was  admitted 
to  be  well  ordered,  and  that  he  upon  whom  it  had  fallen,  merited 
the  distinction.  Having  secured  the  general  confidence,  he  coun- 
selled his  charge  in  all  their  trials,  and  enabled  them  to  overcome 
many  diiriculties,  whilst  by  his  kindness  and  general  benevolence 
of  character,  he  made  himself  beloved.  He  was  on  all  occasions 
the  organ  for  e\])ressing  the  wants  and  wishes  of  his  pcojjle,  and 
through  him,  also,  they  received  both  presents  and  advice  from  the 
oflicers  and  agents  of  our  govcriunent. 

During  the  late  war,  in  1813,  Shingaba  W'Ossin  went  to  York, 
in  Canada,  and  had  an  interview  with  Proctor  and  Tccumthe. 
Nothing  is  known  of  the  object  or  result  of  this  interview,  except 
that  one  of  his  brothers  joined  the  Driti.sh,  and  fought  and  All 
in  tlie  battle  of  the  Thames  in  Upper  Canada.  His  death  was 
deeply  lameaied  by  Shingaba  W'Ossin — so  much  so  as  to  induce 
the  belief  that  he  counselled,  c  at  least  acquiesced  in,  his  joining 
the  British  standard. 


STUMANU. 


Thk  Chiiinool(s  are  a  tribo  of  Indians  inhabiting  the  shores  of 
the  Cohinibia  river,  near  the  Pacific  ocean.  Tliey  practise  the 
savage  custom  of  flattening  tlie  foreheads  of  their  infants  by  means 
of  a  board  applied  to  tliat  part,  ^vhencc  they  are  called  Flatheads  by 
tlie  whites,  as  others  are  called  Ncz  Perces,  Pierced  Nose  Indians, 
although  neither  of  these  terms  is  used  among  themselves.  Most 
of  those  Indians  who  flatten  the  head  also  pierce  the  nose.  These 
singular  customs  were  found,  by  the  first  discoverers,  among  the 
savages  on  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic;  but  they  seem  to  have 
l)ecome  extinct  in  our  country,  except  in  the  distant  region  of  the 
Columbia.  The  name  Flathead  having  been  arbitrarily  given, 
.some  explanation  is  necessary  to  avoid  confusion. 

The  term  Flathead  was  fornicrly  applie(i,  vaguclj',  to  all  the 
Indians  inhabiting  the  unexplored  regions  about  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, except  the  Blackfeet;  but  as  the  country  became  better 
known,  the  name  was  confined  to  a  small  nation,  who  still  bear  it, 
and  are  not  recognized  among  us  by  any  other,  and  who  live  chiefly 
in  the  gorges  of  the  mountains,  and  on  the  plains  on  either  side. 
Tliey  do  not,  however,  flatten  the  IktmI,  nor  have  they  any  term  in 
tlieir  language  to  express  this  idea.  Beyond  them,  on  the  Cohnnbia 
river,  are  numerous  tribes  who  pierce  the  nose  and  flatten  the  fore- 
head, who  are  mostly  included  under  the  name  of  Nez  Perces — 
but  the  name  Flathead  is  not  commonly  used  in  reference  to  them. 

The  nation,  to  which  our  hunters  and  trappers  apply  the  name 
of  Flathead — the  Flatheads  of  tlie   Kucky  Mountains — are  a  very 


164 


BIOGKAl'llY. 


iiilcrcsting  people.  Tlicy  are  honest,  liosiiiliihlc,  and  kincllv  dis- 
|)osed  towards  the  whites.  They  excel  most  other  Indians  in  sini- 
])licity  and  iVanUness  of  eharaeter.  'I'iie  iJlaekleet,  a  ninnerons 
trihe  inliahitinir  tiie  si'iiie  region,  a  treacherons,  vindietive,  and 
warlike  jieople,  are  the  iniplaeahle  enemies  of  the  Flathcads,  and 
harass  tliein  eontinnally.  'I'liis  war  is  of  ih(>  most  nneoinproniisinjj 
eharaeter;  the  Mlaekleet  pnrsnc  their  enemies  with  uncea.sinif 
hostility,  dri\  iie^  them  from  piaee  to  plaee,  huntin^r  them  down  with 
untirini,''  viLjilanee,  and  allowini;  them  no  rest.  Bnt  tlioiiirh  forced  to 
fly  from  their  foes,  in  eonse(|n('nee  of  their  \aslly  inlirior  numbers, 
the  Flatheads  sinj^ly  an-  more  than  a  maleii  for  tin  ir  enemies  in 
boldness  and  physical  strentrth ;  and  as  they  never  receive  any 
(piarters  from  their  crnel  opjiressors,  they  flight  with  the  most  des- 
perate eonrMLr<'  \\  lien  forced  into  action.  l'].\j)o.sed  to  the  greatest 
extrenu^s  and  h:irdshiii.>  to  which  the  savage  stale  is  incident,  and 
ehas(;(l  coaiinu.illy  liy  t'leir  enemies,  who  nse  every  artifice  to  decoy 
and  snr|)rise  them,  tlicv  are  as  wild,  as  watchful,  ami  almost  as 
fleet  as  the  antelope  of  the  pr.iiries. 

They  are  admirable  horvinen.  \\  ithout  anv  li.veil  resid.  :'<•(■, 
roving  thronuhonl  the  year,  engaged  often  in  hunting  the  bufl'alo, 
and  more  freipientl^  in  rapid  lliyht  from  imminent  danger,  the 
Flathead  and  his  liorse  an;  insiparable;  and  such  is  the  skill 
ac(pnred  by  constant  [iractice,  that  out;  of  this  tribe  will  mount  an 


nn 


brok 


en   horse  w  i 


thout 


(11 


saddle  or 


bridh 


and  retain  his  seat,  in 


spite  of  all  the  elforts  ol"  the  iMiraged  animal  to  dislodge  him.     A 


friei 


id  I'l  the  w  riler  saw  tins  teat  performed  liy  Incilla,  ihe  present 


cliit'f   of  the    Iri 


le,  on    the   plains   east   i.f   the    Kocky    .Mountains 


The  chief  threw  himself  upon  liie  back  of  a  wild  hor.se  recently 
taken,  holding  in  one  hand  a  small  Ihm,  and  in  the  otlier  a  hoop 
covered  with  a  skin,  after  the  tashion  of  a  tamboriiie.  On  being 
turned  loose,  the  animal  dashed  oil',  rearing  and  pitching,  and  using 
the  most  violent  e.verlioiis  to  disengage  himself  from  his  fearless 
rider,  who,  clinging  with  his  heels,  maintained  his  seat,  in  spite  of 


STUMANU. 


16S 


the  ciTurts  of  llic  liorsc  to  throw  liim.  \\  lien  he  wished  to  check  the 
speed  of  tlie  iiiiiinal,  ho  blinded  him  b}'  throwing  the  flag  across  hi« 
face;  while  h<-  triii(l''il  liiiii,  by  striking  him  with  the  tiimbnriiie,  on 
liic  one  side  or  llic  other  of  the  head.  This  exercise  he  continued, 
sconrinif  the  plain  at  full  s|)ee(l,  and  directing  tlic  co\irso  of  the  furi- 
ous st(H'(l  at  will,  until  the  latter  was  wearied  out  and  sul)(lue(l. 

^^'('sl\^ar(l  111  tlio  Flatheads,  a  number  of  small  tribes  arc  found 
scattered  along  the  shores  of  the  Columbia,  to  the  Pacific  ocean, 
all  of  whom  belong  to  the  \e/,  I'erces  nation,  b}'  \vhich  we  mean 
only,  that  they  acknowledge  the  tic;  of  kindred,  and  speak  a  com- 
mon laiiguag(>,  for  they  do  not  apjiear  to  i)c  united  l)y  anv  other 
imnd,  an<l  have  no  national  organization.  'J'bcy  arc  on  friendly 
t<'rnis  with  the  Flatheads,  Iiut  have  not  the  bold  and  manly  cha- 
racter of  tiiat  trilie;  on  the  contrary,  they  are  ignorant  and  timid. 
'I'hcy  subsist  by  hunting  and  lishing,  l)Ut  chiellv  liy  the  latter; 
are  miserably  poor,  inolfcnsivc,  and  peaceable,  'i'liey  pierce  the 
ilividini,''  cartilage  of  the  nose,  and  thrust  a  bone  several  inches  in 
leniith  through  the  orifice,  to  remain  until  the  wounded  part  is 
completely  healed;  and  they  flatt(  n  the  head  by  confining  it  be- 
tween boards,  one  of  which  ptis.ses  across  the  forehead,  flattening 
tlcit  part,  so  that  the  a.scent  from  the  nose  to  the  top  of  the  head 
is  almost  without  a  curve.  The  eflTect  produced  is  said  to  bo 
extremely  disgusting. 

Tile  Indians  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mountains  excel  in  liorseman- 
sliip;  those  on  the  Columbia  are  expert  in  th(>  management  of  tliiMr 
can(.<^s,  in  which  they  embark  <"carlcssly  on  the  waves  of  the 
I'aeific  in  the  rouirhest  weather ;  and  such  is  their  skill  that  they 
kcej)  adnat  amid  the  angry  billows,  when  it  would  seem  impossible 
tlial  su(  h  frail  vessels  could  live.  The  upsetting  of  a  canoe,  in 
such  cin  umstances,  is  of  little  cimsequcnce,  for  these  Indians  are 
such  admirable  swimmers,  that  they  right  their  canoes  when  over- 
turneil,  bail  out  the  w,iti-r,  and  resume  their  seats;  or  if  necessary, 
abandon  them,  and  swim  to  the  shore. 


166 


BIOGRAPHY. 


The  women  arc  adniiUed  to  a  greater  degree  of  equality  witl; 
the  men,  than  among  tlic  otlior  American  tritn's,  hecause  in  fishing 
and  in  managing  tlic  canoe,  they  are  e(|ually  exjjert,  and  as  tli(>y 
share  all  the  toils  and  dangers  of  the  other  sex,  they  naturally 
become  the  companions  and  equals,  and  in  virtue  of  their  superior 
industry,  the  bcUer  halves,  of  their  lords  ami  masters.  In  the 
savage  state,  where  the  cmi)loyment.s  of  the  men  are  confined  to 
war  and  hunting,  a  certain  degree  of  contempt  attaches  to  the 
weaker  sex,  who  are  inillt  for  such  rude  loils,  and  a  timid  or 
imbecile  man  is,  in  derision,  compared  to  a  woman.  But  a  dider- 
ent  relation  x^xists  between  the  sexes,  where;  the  employments  arc 
such  that  h.)th  engage  in  them  alike,  and  where  both  contribute 
equally  to  the  support  of  their  families. 

The  Columbia  river  was  discovered  by  Captain  Grey  of  Bo.ston, 
"n  the  ship  Columbia,  from  which  it  received  its  name.  Afterwards, 
Captains  Lewis  and  Clark,  of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  with 
1  small  escort,  performed  a  journey  over  land  to  the  mouth  of  that 
river,  under  tiie  aus])ices  of  the  government,  and  for  the  purpose 
of  exj)loraliori.  This  was  one  of  the  most  remarkal)le  journeys  of 
which  we  have  any  account ;  the  extent  of  tlie  territory  exj)lored, 
the  dangers  and  privations  encountered,  the  great  nuniljer  of  the 
savao'o  tribes  visited,  and  the  successful  i)rosecution  of  the  enter- 
prise,  display  a  degree  of  courage  and  per.scvcrance  never  excelled 
by  any  scientific  travellers.  A  well  digested  account  of  the  exjm- 
dition  was  publislied,  written,  from  the  notes  of  Lewis  and  Clark, 
l)y  a  gentleman  who,  in  that  work,  gave  to  his  country  the  first 
fruits  of  a  genius,  which,  in  its  riper  brilliancy,  has  since  become 
the  pride  and  admiration  of  his  countrymen.  The  discoveries 
made  by  these  tourists,  turned  the  attention  of  the  mercantile  world 
to  this  wild  and  unfrecpiented  region,  wiiich  now  became  the  scene 
of  an  animated  competition.  John  Jacob  Astor,  of  New  York,  a 
German  by  birth,  who  came  in  early  life  an  indigent  adventurer  to 
our  shores,  and  had,  by  his   unwearied   industry   and    unrivalled 


STIMAXU. 


167 


talents  for  business,  amnssed  a  prinecly  fortiuie,  matured  a  plan  for 
secnrinir  ti)  his  adopted  country  tlie  fur  trade  of  that  coast.  The 
<„nn-ernnieiit,  to  wlioni  he  conitiuuiicated  his  project,  was  too  weak, 
at  that  time,  to  give  any  aid  to  an  vnicertain  enterprise,  which 
mi^lit  involve  a  heavy  c.\|)eii<litiire,  and  by  i)ossil)ility  endanj^er  its 
ii'jations  with  forei:j;n  powers;  and  could  oidy  encourage  the 
scjieme  by  its  approbation.  A  lin(>  shij)  was  erpiipjiiMJ  for  th(>  voy- 
age by  Mr.  Astor,  and  j)laced  under  the  cliarge  of  Captain  Thorn, 
an  intelligent  oilieer  bred  in  the  American  nav}',  and  who  liad  been 
bnt  a  short  tinu;  ])rr;'.'ious,  enrolled  in  tiie  Lrallant  band  that  gained 
so  much  glory  in  the  Tri[ioIitan  war;  while  a  party  of  hardy  men, 
under  Mr.  Theodore  limit,  sit  out  from  St.  I^ouis,  to  cross  the 
contiiKMit,  and  miM't  the\essel  at  \]io  mouth  of  the  Cobuubia.  Alter 
a  ])rosperous  vo^'age  roviml  Cape  Horn,  the  ship  reached  her  desti- 
nation; but  an  imfortunate  affray  occurring  with  the  natives.  Cap- 
tain Thorn  sulfered  himself  to  be  surprised;  the  whole  crew  were 
massacred,  and  tlie  vessel  destroyed.  Mr.  Hunt  was  more  success- 
ful. i\fter  a  protracted  journey,  attended  liy  toils  and  perils  the 
most  incredilile  and  discouraging,  this  dauntless  part}-  found  them- 
selves on  the  sliorrs  of  the  Cohimbia  river,  but  in  a  condition  too 
exhausted  to  enable  them  to  carry  out  the  plan  proposed.  They 
had  accomplished  nnicli  in  overcoming  the  dilhculties  of  the  jour- 
iiev,  and  inspecting  that  vast  field  for  commercial  enterprise,  of 
which  scareelv  any  thing  had  been  known  bnt  its  existence.  Mr. 
-\stor  persevered  in  liis  design;  a  trading  post,  called  Astoria,  was 
eslablislied  on  the  Coliuniiia,  a  few  miles  from  its  mouth,  and 
hunters  were  employed  who  scattcM'cd  themselves  over  the  whole 
region  watered  by  the  trib\itaries  of  that  river.  The  British  fur 
traders,  who  had  alnadv'  pervadeil  the  whole  of  the  va>t  territory 
hing  north  of  tlie  great  lakes,  as  well  as  the  wilderness  country 
Iving  within  the  north-western  boundaries  of  the  L'nited  States, 
penetrateil  also  into  these  solitiules,  and  establisiied  a  strong  post, 
called  Fort  \'ancouver,  in  honor  of  the  navigator,  for  whom,  with- 


r~ 


IfiS 


HIOGRAPIIY. 


out  ;iny  sumcicnt  ovidonco,  the  discovery  of  tlio  C'dlutnlna  was 
claimed,  and  anotlicr  called  Fort  Colville.  When  the  war  of  1S12, 
l)et\veeu  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  was  declared,  the 
Americans  were  compelled  to  abandon  this  country,  to  whicli  their 
government  could  not  extend  its  protcclion;  hut  when,  by  the 
treaty  of  peace  ne<rotiated  at  Ghent,  it  was  provided  that  the  belli- 
H;erent  parties  should  mutually  surrender  the  places  taken  during 
the  war  from  each  other,  Astoria  was  formally  delivered  up  Iiy  the 
IJritish  government,  wiiieh,  by  this  act,  distinclly  recognized  the 
territorial  rights  of  the  Auieriean  peoj)le.  Subsequently,  how- 
ever, the  question  of  jurisdii-tion  was  oj)ened,  and  to  prevent 
collision,  it  was  agreed,  that,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  the  subjects 
and  citizens  of  both  governments  might  occupy  the  disputed  terri- 
tory for  the  purpose  of  hunting  and  trallic,  without  prejudice  to  the 
claims  of  either  country.  Since  then,  the  whole  region  west  of 
the  llocky  Mountains,  has  been  traversed  by  numerous  b;inds  of 
llrilish  and  American  trappers.  A  few  wealthy  and  eiiter))risiiig 
individuals  residing  chielly  at  St.  licmis,  in  the  state  of  Mi.s.souri, 
have  organiz(>d  r(\gular  comi)anies,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on 
this  trade,  which  has  been  pro.secuted  with  an  admirable  degree  of 
efficiency  and  success.  Larg(!  ])ar1ies,  coniposed  of  liunters,  well 
mounted  and  armed,  annually  leave  St.  liOuis,  attended  by  pack 
horses,  and  on  some  occasiims  by  wagons,  carrying  merchandise, 
and  stores  for  the  expedition.  The  leaders  are  men  of  talent  and 
courage,  and  the  discipline  thtit  of  a  rigid  military  police.  After 
pa.ssing  the  settlements  of  the  I'nited  States,  and  the  hunting- 
grounds  of  tli(^  Indian  triiies  with  whom  pacific  relations  have  been 
established  l)y  treaty,  they  have  to  traverse  immense  wilds  inhabitcMJ 
by  tli(!  ]51ackfeet,  and  other  roving  bands,  who  live  in  perpetual 
war,  and  among  whom  safety  can  be  secured  only  by  unceasing 
vigilance.  The  march  is  conducted  with  the  greatest  precaution, 
and  tlie  camp  is  always  guarded  liy  seiiliiiels.  All  this  is  beauti- 
fully told  in  Washington   Irving's   Astoria,  a  work  which  is  not 


a 

ha 
on 
it 

ri 

mot 
was 
the 


STUM  A  NT 


100 


more  commendaLle  for  the  gracefulness  of  its  style,  than  for  the 
fidelity  with  which  it  doscribos  the  advctitnros  of  the  li  uppers  in 
the  wildciiioss.  The  subject  is  on(!  with  which  we  arc  familiar, 
and  we  therefore  refer  1o  ,Mr.  Irving's  delightful  work  with  confi- 
dence ;  and  forbear  from  repeating  what  has  been  narrated  with  an 
ease  of  style  which  would  render  dull  the  recital  of  any  other  pen, 
upon  the  same  topic. 

Those  who  have  seen  those  wild  and  hardy  trappers,  and  who 
know  any  thing  of  the  severe  privations  and  fearful  dangers, 
encountered  by  them  in  tlie  wilderness,  woidd  scarcely  expect  to 
liiid  science  or  religion  marching  in  such  rude  companionship. 
But  danger  itself  is  alluring  to  the  ardent  temperament,  while  true 
jiiety,  and  the  genuine  love  of  science  arc  nnnppalled  by  its  terrors. 
Manv  gentlemen  have  been  induced  by  curiosity  alone,  to  accom- 
])auy  these  parties,  and  a  valuable  family  of  missionaries,  under  the 
charge  of  the  llev.  Jason  Lee,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
has  already  .settled  on  the  \\'all;imette  river,  a  branch  of  the  Colum- 
bia. Although  missions  have  not,  heretofore,  been  successful, 
among  the  Indians,  we  think  that,  considering  the  pacific  character 
of  the  people,  and  the  favorable  auspices  under  which  this  altenipt 
has  been  commenced,  much  good  from  it  may  bo  confidently 
expected. 

The  portrait  which  accompanies  this  article,  represents  an  inte- 
resting individual.  lie  is  one  of  that  distant  tribe  inhal)iling  the 
most  western  extremity  of  our  continent — aChinnook,  belonging  to 
a  band  of  tiie  great  family  of  Ncz  Perccs.  The  name  Stiimanu 
has  no  particular  meaning  that  we  have  been  able  to  discover  ;  the 
only  account  lu;  could  give  of  it  himself,  is  that  he  was  called  by 
it  after  his  grandfather,  who  is  still  living.  lie  was  born  ai  a 
Chinnook  village  oa  the  Columbia  river,  about  seven  mih's  from  its 
mouth  ;  and  having  lost  his  father,  when  he  was  but  two  years  old, 
was  brought  up  by  an  uncle,  who  at  an  early  age  initiated  him  in 
the  business  of  fishing,  ;md  in  such  other  employments  as  engage 


170 


B10f:r  APIIY. 


the  attention  of  tliut  iiulolciit  race.  In  sjteakiiig  of  tlic  skill  of  his 
tribe  in  the  rniiimgcnient  of  their  canoos,  ho  stated  that  he  had  often 
been  alone  on  the  ocean,  when  overtaken  liy  storms,  and  had  never 
felt  the  slightest  alarm,  but  uould  right  his  little  vess(>l,  when 
overturned,  and  jjursue  Ins  voyage  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

Shortly  after  the  estal)Iishment  of  the  mission  family  on  the 
Wallamette,  this  youth,  being  favorably  impressed  in  regard  to 
tlie  advant;iges  of  ei\  ili/ation,  voluntarily  determined  to  place  him- 
self at  tlie  school,  and  applied  to  Doctor  M'Langhlin,  a  benevolent 
gentleman,  at  the  British  Fort  Vancouver,  -who  iiad  taken  a  lively 
interest  in  the  missicmary  enterjir'  o,  for  his  .advice  on  the  subject. 
He  cheerfully  gave  the  applicain  a  letter  of  introduction  to  tiic 
l{ev.  Mr.  Lee,  superintendent  of  the  Wallamette  station  ;  and  thus 
encouraged,  Stumanu,  taking  his  younger  brother  by  the  hand, 
proceeded  to  the  school,  to  offer  himself  and  his  brother  as  pupils. 
'I'liey  were  cheerfully  admitterl,  ami  this  youth  soon  ])roved  himself 
a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  school,  lie  cpuckly  showed  a  great 
fondness,  as  well  a.s  an  aptitude,  for  learning,  was  industrious  and 
useful  on  the  farm,  and  won  e.steem  by  the  most  amiable  qualities 
of  tenquT.  He  possessed,  what  was  rcmarkaljle  in  an  Indian,  a 
decidedly  mechanical  genius,  and  exeelieit  in  the  construction  of 
tools  and  implements,  and  in  the  imitation  of  any  simple  articles 
of  furniture  that  eanic^  under  his  notice,  so  ihat  the  mission  family 
were  fully  repaid  for  the  expenses  of  his  education  and  subsistence 
by  his  lalior.  His  good  sense,  sobriety  of  temperament,  and  equa- 
bility of  disposition,  rendered  him  altogether  a  person  of  unconnnou 
interest. 

Stumanu  was  about  twenty  years  of  ago  when  this  portrait  was 
taken;  he  was  about  five  feet  in  stature,  thick  set,  and  strongly 
made.  He  was  on  a  visit  to  the  Atlantic  cities  in  conq)any  with 
the  Rev.  Mr.  I.cc,  who  was  on  a  tour  for  the  purpose  of  raising 
funds  to  sujiport  his  valuable  estal)lishment.  At  New  York, 
J'hiludelphia,  and  other  places,  the  young  Indian  addressed  large 


STUMANU. 


171 


confrrogatious,  in  his  native  tonjruc,  on  the  destitute  condition  of 
Ills  people,  their  readiness  to  learn  from  tl)e  white  people,  and  the 
ample  field  that  was  spread  open  to  those  whose  hencivolcnco  might 
iiiduec  them  to  take  ])ity  on  the  jioor  savages  of  the  farther  west. 
Some  of  these  adtlrcsses  wc  re  of  a  very  impressive  character,  and 
Mr.  Lee,  who  interpreted  them,  assured  the  congregations  that 
what  Stnmaiiu  said  was  wholly  his  own  in  conception  and  language. 
On  the  eve  of  (he  departure  of  the  l?cv.  Mr.  Lee  to  the  scene 
of  his  labors  on  the  Wallamette,  Stiimann,  flushed  with  the  pro.s- 
pert  of  once  more  mingling  with  his  kindred  and  fricnd.s,  and 
gratified  with  all  he  had  seen  of  the  while  man's  capacity  and 
powers,  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  in  New  York,  and  after  a  short 
but  severe  attack,  died  on  tlie  29th  of  May,  1839. 


IS 

III. 

In 

qn 

civ 

.l;i; 

is  I 

for 

we  I 

liar 

tlio 

spai 

nns' 

()k( 

[lice 

van 

cliil. 

n.lls 

ualt 

lliol 

(iniw 


OKKKM.VKKKaril). 


Otm  ncqiiaiiiliiiu'c  witli  Okoemakcoqnid  hrgnn  and  ended  in 
]^'2('>,  at  Lii  Fond  dii  Lao  Sii])('rior,  On  arrivinjf  tlicro,  among 
tin-  ninltitudn  of  Indians,  collcclod  for  tlio  j)nrpose  of  attending  a 
Irc'ity,  our  interest  was  at  onre  excited  in  relation  to  OkciMiiakce- 
(liiid.  Ilis  countenance  was  intellectual,  and  won;  an  nimsually 
civilized  expression.  After  having  l)e(>n  at  La  Fond  du  Lac  for  some 
ilays,  we  determined  to  have  huilt  a  first  rate  canoe  of  hark,  Avhich 
is  the  oidy  kind  of  canoe  used  in  these  lake  reixions.  On  incpiiring 
for  an  experienced  hand  among  the  Indians,  for  that  purpose,  we 
were  referred  to  Okeeinakeecpiid.  Ho  appeared  directly,  and  tiui 
Iiargaiii  was  soon  made.  On  expressing  our  apprehensions  llial 
the  structure  of  the  canoe  might  consume  more  time  than  we  could 
sptire,  we  were  told  to  name  our  own  time.  \\'e  did  so,  and  the 
answer  was,  it  xliall  be  done.  In  a  moment  afterwards,  we  saw 
OkecMuakeequid  and  his  a.ssistant  striding  in  the  direction  of  a 
piece  of  level  gromid,  bordering  the  water,  and  altout  two  hundred 
yards  from  our  encampment,  followed  \)\  a  train  of  women  and 
children.  Then  the  s<piaws  reappeared,  hearing  on  their  backs 
rcills  of  birch  bark,  followed  by  the  little  children  with  rolls  of 
wattap,  (the  root  of  the  red  cedar,  or  fir,)  which  is  used  to  confine 
the  bark  of  a  canoe  to  its  frame.  Mr.  Schoolcraft,  in  an  admirably 
drawn  poetic  description  of  the  l)irch  canoe,  says — 


The  bright  leafy  bark  of  tlu-  butuja  tree, 
A  flexible  sheathing  provides; 


(173) 


174 


BIOGRAPHY. 


And  till'  fir's  thready  roots  drew  llic  purts  to  agreo, 
And  bound  down  its  liigli  swL'llinc;  sidi's. 


All  till'  niiitrriiils  \)v'\w^  n'rul}-,  the  uoik  was  oiiui'.iict'd  witli 
j.MTat  spirit.  As  it  lias  not  fallcMi  In  tlio  lot  of  iiiiiiiy  jht.soii.s,  iiitd 
wlicM'  liamls  lliis  work  iiiav  fall,  hi  \\  itiirss  llic  Imildiii",'  of  a  birclicn 


caiKu',  w 

to  111.'  I, 


(•  will  avail  ourselves  of  an  cxtia.  !  fnni;  our  v. ork- 


Toiir 


to  (Icscriiie  tlic  process.     The  <rroiiii(l  heiii^  laid  oil', 


ill  leiiotli  and  hreadtli,  answering'  to  tlie  si/e  of  tlie  canoe,  (tins  was 
lliirty-si.K  feet  lon'_'.  and  (ivc  feet  wide  in  its  w  iilcst  part,)  stakes 
are  drivi  n  at  the  two  extremes,  ami  tiuiicc  on  eitlur  siiie,  answer- 
iiiir.  in  their  position,  to  the  foriii  of  the  c.inoe.  Pieces  of  haik  are 
then  sewn  to;.';tlier  with  wattap,  and  placed  hctwccn  those  slakes, 
from  one  end  to  the  other,  and  made  fast  to  them.  ']')'.■  hark  ihns 
arranged,  ha-ius  loose,  and  in  folds,  resemhliiiL;  in  jfcneral  appeiir- 
ance,  tliono:h  without  their  regularity,  the  covers  of  a  hook,  with 
its  li.ack  downwards,  the  ed'^e.s  l)ciii|^  up,  and  the  leaves  out. 
Cross  pieces  are  ihcn  ]iul  in. 
the  upper  (dues  th(^  form  of  the  canoe.  Next,  tlu'  rihs  are  forced 
in — thin  sheathino  heiiijir  laid  hetweeii  these  and  the  haik.  The 
rihs  press  out  tin;  hark,  ^rivin;^  form  and  lioure  to  the  hottom  and 
siiles  of  the  canoe.      I'lion  these  rilis,  an<I  alou";  their  whole  e.xlent. 


lesf  press  out   tlie   niii.  and   oive 


1; 


irge  stones  arc  p^lcc 


Tl 


ic   rihs  liaMiitr  lieen   prcMously   we 


soaked,  they   hear   the   pressure  of  these  stones,  till    they   l;ccoiiie 
drv.     I'assiiiij:  round  liie  bottom,  and  un  the  sides  of  the  canoe  to 


th 


rr 


le  run,  they  resemole    iioojis  cut  ui  two,  or  halt  cutIcs.       1 
uj)per  parts  furnish  niortisintf  places  foi"  the  rim;  around,  and  ov 
vvliieli,  anil   ihroutih   the  hark,  the  watt:.|i  is  wra]ipeil.     The  stakes 
aie  then  removed,  the  seams  gumnieil,  and  the  fahric  is  lilled  into 


t! 


le  ,\a 


ler,  where  it  lloats  li 


ke  a   leatl 


^\  e  soon  icarned  that  O 


keemaKeeipiiii  w;!.s  one  ol  ten  ehililrcn 


f  tl 


3f  th 


le  most  remarkaliii!  old  sipiaw  in  t 


Id 


1' 


irts.     Her  name  was 


Osliegwun.     I'roiu  childhood  thi.s  woman  had  been  the  .subject  of 


OKKi:.MAIvKi:(iUll). 


17  r 


alllii'tioii.     \\  lien  uliout  fourtt.'uii  years  old,  slic  act'cjijqiaiiii'd  lH;r 
lather,  with  live  lod^^t  s  of  liis  liaml,  aiiioiiiitiiiL^  to  forty  persons,  on 


a   hiiiiliiii^   exjii'diliiin 


lie\'  had 


killcil   a  ilicr,  and  were   in   ti 


act  of  cookinLl;  it,  when  they  we:';'  altaeked  l)y  ahont  ime  luimlred 
Siiiiix.  Fifteen  of  tlie  (,'lii])|ie\\a\  were  killed;  three  only  snrviv- 
in'-;  the  first  assault.     ()slie;f\vim  ran  olF — was  o\i  rtaken  ami  tied. 


A 


eontention  arose  Ix.'tweeu   two  Sion.K  for  tlic  c 


aplivi 


() 


lie  (I 


them  stniek   ids  war-cliili  into  lur   lia^k,  and  ntlicrwise  wniiiidrd 


her.     Sho  fe 


•ry 


Ills, 


'J'li 


cy 


lire 


kill 


my  nie 


At  tl 


lis   llinliieiit, 


she    lieard    the  crack  of  a  rill( 


when    she    liecamc    unconscious. 


iwanls  e\fniiiii  s 


lie  was  aroused  |p\-  the  pressure  of  a  hand  U] 


ion 


her  arm.  It  was  lur  fillier's.  lie  saw  the  stnitrule  lietween  t!ie 
two  Siouv  for  liis  eiiiid,  when,  !e\elliiiii  his  rille,  he  killed  tlieni 
lidtli.  He  was  too  ninrh  eii'_fa'jed  in  the  fiiihl  to  vro  to  the  spot, 
liiit  >  iii'^ht  it  aflerw;irds.  On  arri\iiiLr  at  it,  !ii'  fniind  his  daiiL;liter 
'June,  she  liaviim'  crawled  a  cpiarter  of  a  mile,      lie  tr.aeked  her  by 


iier   lilood   on   tiie  slio\ 


le  was  scalpeil    in   two   places. 


on  til 


ri'_dit  and  left  n|"  her  cniwn — the  knife  passim^  nnind  her  tliroat, 
cut  a  deep  ijasli,  drixiii!;;  in  [lieccs  of  waiii|iiini,  w  hicli  reiiiaimd 
tiiere  Siie  survived,  hnwever,  and  lived  to  marry  three  liusliaiids, 
all  of  wlidiii   treated    lur  unKiiidlv,  and    tn  lie  the    iiintlK  r  of  nine 


sons  aiK 


1  cue  daiiiiliter. 


e  was  snliseipieiitlv  <'Uiiil  of  a  disca.se 


in  tlio  forefinu''i'r,  hy  Ukeeiiiakeeipiid,  after  the   Indian  fa.sliion,  by 
plaein'T   it   dn   a  liloek,  lavintj  a   knife  across  it,  and  w  ith  a  sinulo 


\>h 


if 


nw   iipdii   the   knife   with   ilie  e\-e  ol   a  liatcliet,  ciittii 


1   ell'. 


W" 


e  were  shuw  ii  all  these  wdiiii 


am 


'al 


so  witnessed  a  sea 


ilpiii'T 

scene,  by  la-r  twi  sons,  Okeeiiiakeeipiid  and  Ills  lirother,  wlio  went 
throni^h  tlio  blank  motions  over  the  bead  of  tiin  imitlier,  to  show 
linw  the  Sionx  performed  tli.at  ceremony.  At  this  time,  I''",'*!, 
Oslieij'wnn    \\'as  a' out  sixty   ytars  of  nixe. 

The  (h'ess  in  wliicli  Okeeniakei^qnid  appears  is  not  a  Chip[iewa, 
hut  a  Sionx  dress.  The  Indians  wmild  often  jibe  him  about  tlio 
circnmstanci^s  nmler  wiiicli   lie  >>tA  it.     At   the  tre.atv  of  I'rairi''  du 


•Jl] 


I7r. 


niOORAPIIY. 


Cliien,  in  1825,  peace  was  concluded,  which  tcrniinated  a  war  of 
nearly  two  Imudrod  years'  duration,  between  the  Sioux  and  ( 'liii> 
pewas.  In  memorial  of  this  oeeiirrenec  a  8io\ix  warrior  proposed 
to  exchantre  dresses  with  Okcemakeecpiid.  Tin  latter  acceded  to 
the  proposition.  After  the  exeh!m!,'e  had  bcin  made,  the  Sioux, 
lookini^  Okeemidieoquid  archly  in  tiie  face,  and  pointing  to  the 
heii.l-dress,  said,  "  JJ/'oMfr,  when  yon  put  that  dress  on,  feel  up 
there— there  are  five  feathers;  I  have;  put  one  in  for  each  scalp 
I  took  from  vour  people— remember  that!" 


L 


MOANAIIONGA. 


MoANAiioNGA,  which  signifies  Circaf  Walker,  was  an  loway 
hravc.  This  name  was  eonferred  upon  hini,  not  for  his  having 
peifornied  any  great  feat  as  a  walker  against  time,  as  in  tlie  case  of 
llu'  Sionx  Killer,  Imt  on  account  of  his  great  muscular  strength, 
which  enabled  him  to  endure  the  toils  of  ihe  chase,  and  to  le:ul  war 
l»urtics  over  a  vast  extent  of  country,  without  aj)puaring  to  he 
fatigued.  This  brave,  like  the  Sionx  Killer,  was  called  hy  another 
name,  by  wliich  he  was  more  generally  known,  vi/.,  iliy  yirk ; 
and  he  was  also  known  hy  the  name  of  M'inaugusroney,  or  the 
man  who  is  not  afraid  to  travel ;  the  meaning  of  uhicli  is,  tiiat  he 
would  traverse  large  tracts  of  country  alone,  utterly  reckless  of 
danger,  lelying  for  protection  and  defence,  upon  his  courage,  and 
great  physical  strength,  both  of  wiiich  he  nossessed  in  an  extraoaii- 
nary  degree. 

Moanahonga  was  of  .1  morose  lhhI  sour  disposition;  the  result, 
diiubtless,  of  his  ha  ing  been  the  descendant  of  obscure  parents, 
which  circumstance  much  impe<led  liis  advancement  to  the  higher 
liduors,  to  which  his  bnivery,  skill,  and  talents  entitled  him.  He 
was  emulous  of  glory,  ln:t  fnund  liimsdf  always  held  in  check  hy 
the  lowness  of  his  origin.  There  was  nothing  which  he  valued  so 
iiigidy  ;is  the  honors  and  dignity  of  a  chieliain,  and  to  this  elevation 
li(!  constantly  aspired  ;  seeking  aniently,  by  daring  exploits,  to 
challenge  the  admiration  of  his  nation,  and  in  tlie  midst  of  some 
'.)la/e  of  glory,  to  extinguish  all  recollection  of  the  meanness  of  his 
descent.  As  was  natinal,  under  such  circumstances,  he  was  envious 
of  distinction  in  others;  and   the  more  exalted  tlie  incumbent,  the 

tl77) 


178 


n  I  or;  HA  I'll  V. 


Ill 


ore  111' lli^lik^(l  liiiii.     He  ("\t'ii  luuiilcil    luoc  w  lio  wire  in 


lOlli 


iiiiiikI.  licciiUM'  (if  liis  :iMr>inii  id  liiiii^^  llic  s\ili(inliii;ilc  of  any; 
Mini,  ni'liii^  uinlt  r  llic  iiilliuiici"  of  lliis  ficliiiii,  lie  vvoiild  M'paralo 
liiiiiM  If  from  Ills  hand  and  iicdjiIc,  liiiild  a  iddnr  df  lijs  own,  and, 
takin;;  with  him  as  many  as  hail  hccn  won  uwr  In  him  hy  his 
hraviTv,  twcrcisc  ihc  aiitlinrity  df  ihcir  chief 

This  brave  was  one  df  a  [lailv  led  by  (iiiieral  Chiik  to  \\  asiiiny- 
toH,  in  I'«v!l,at  v'-liieh  iinie  he  iiniled  with  MahasKali  in  cdnrhKiing 
a  treaty,  hy  w  liieh  they  ceded  all  their  lands  lyin;^  williin  tiie  Slato 
of  Missouri,  anionntinif  to  some  millions  of  acres,  lor  tiie  reiinint!- 
ratiigi  of  li\e  hundred  dollars  jier  annum,  tor  ten  ^cars,  in  connei;- 


linii  with  sonic  other  paltry  consK 


dcral 


ions. 


ll 


a|i|iears 


that  i 


e  ilKl 


iii>t  conipnlicnd  tlic  imporl  of  the  treaty;  and,  on  his  rctiir:.  to  his 
cdiiiitrv,  findiii;;  it  o\errnn  with  the  whites,  who  had  taken  |)os- 
sessi'iii  o|"  the  ground  that  eiucred  tlii'  hones  of  his  aiuestdrs,  he  is 
sail!  to  have  heeome  ^M'eatly  allected.  He  soii<.hl  relii'f,  hut  was 
told  the  treaty  was  made,  and  that  he  and  Mahaskah   had   sold  the 


(•(nintry. 
,1 


e  ciPiilinued  to  endure  liiis  state  ol'  thiiiiis  i:ii 


til    ]• 


when,  uiialilc   to  sustain    it   aii\   |oii;;cr,  he  dcti  iniinc( 


I  t 


O    Od    Id    I*^!. 


] 


OlllS, 


statt    hi.-,   "rievaiices   to   (ieiieial   (lark.      On   1 


lis  way 


thither,  he  eiieamii'tl  on  the  liordcrs  of  the  ri\(  r  (  hariton,  his  jiarl\' 
I  ^'iisistini;  of  ahoiit  sixty  persons.  While  tlure,  restintf  his  eom- 
rades  iVoiii  the  falij,nies  of  their  march,  a  jiarty  ol"  whites  eanu'  up, 


li;i\  Ul'J    with  tlielii    solilt 


if  whiskv.      It 


was 


not    loiiLj    hetoie 


the  Indians  were  eomplclily  besotted,  whin  the  \vhiles  pliindrnd 
them  of  tiicii  blankets  and  horses,  and  whatever  else  was  of  value, 
and  retired.  Hecoverinti  from  their  debauch,  the  Indians  felt  how 
dearly  they  had  paid  for  the  whisky  with  whiih  the  whites  had 
regaled  Iln  m,  and  1m  in^;  huiinry,  one  of  the  youiii.''  nun  shot  a  lio|,f. 
Hig  Noek  relinked  him,  sa\  iie.',  "That  is  w■|■oll^  ;  it  is  true,  we 
nro  iioor,  and  ha\e  bei  n  rohhcil,  hut  the  hmj;  was  Tit  ours,  and  v<iu 
oi|dht  not  to  ha\e  shot   it." 

It  wii8  so(  11  rumored   aliui"   the   liorders  thai   tiie   indians  were 


I'l 

lier 

ddl 

( 

ciil 
ir:u 

W  Ilit 

f.  I 

lll\ 

c.tll, 
and 
A    fii 
dri\( 


r 


MOANAHONGA. 


179 


ili'stmyiuy  tlic  i)ni|iiity  of  ilic  mDIcts,  mikI  tlic  diail  lio^  was 
linmi^flit  ill  ovidcMcc  lo  j)!' ivo  llic  iliaiyr ;  wlicri'iipon  a  compaiiv 
(if  alidiit  sixty  w  liilr  iicii  was  raisi  il,  ami  iiiarrli<^l  lo  llio  Indian 
taiii|).  'riicy  or('crc(|  IJiu  Xcck  to  Icavr  tiic  coiiiitry  instantly, 
adding,  if  he  dciayci],  incy  would  drive  liini  ont  of  it  witii  tiieir 
i;rns.  ]V\'^  Neck  tlionulit  it  piaidrnt  to  ntiic,  and  Icavinu-  liis 
(  iicauipnifnt,  lie  went  liftn  ri  nidcs  liiLdicr  up  into  tlic  <  ;ntrv,  to 
a  point  wliii'li,  lie  liclii'vcd,  was  beyond  tlie   lionndarv  of  the  state. 


W 


e  there,  tills  same  parly,  haviiiLr  pnrMiid  tliriii,  ani\ti 


8t!C- 


iiii;  ihein  eoniiinj',  and  not  siispectiny  that  there  was  now  any  cause 
of  (piarrel,  ]\\<^  .Neck  stepped  froin  liis  Iodide  unarim 


wi 


th  I 


IIS    Oljli 


pip 


in  his  month,  and  his  iiand  exteiideil  towards  tiie  leail 


>l  th 


in  token  oi   frieiidshi 


he  pipe  is  a  saen  d  lliii 


e  nariv, 


and  IS,  ainoncr 


nio>t    ol'  the    Iniliaii    tnlies,   ihe.enililem   ot'  peace ;   imr   lia\(!   they 


\er    li 


•en    known   to  permit    .'.ny  outrage  lo  he  eommilteil   upon  a 


man  who  advanees  towards  anolhcr  willi  this  syinliol  of  peaco  in 
his  inoulli.  \\  hile  in  the  act  of  reacliinij:  liis  hand  to  the  leader 
of  the  party,  and  as  the  Indians  came  out  ot"  their  !odt,'es  to  sec  the 
iMValeadc  ol'wldte  men,  tlii'\-  were  I'ircd  upon.  One  child  wa.s 
!\dled,  as  was  also  the  iiroijier  of  I'.ii,'  Nii-k,  who  I'ell  at  his  side. 
r!nra<j;ed  liy  this  as.sanll,  llie  Indians  llew  t<i  their  arms,  their  iium- 
lier  of  liuditinjf  men  liciiii^  alioiit  thirty;  and,  against  such  fearl'ul 
odds,  \V\'j:    Xc<"k,   sujiporled    liy  .Mausheinone,  or  the    \V\\f    I''lyin<i;' 


(  'loud,   reso!\eil    to    cnjltrlli 


'I'he    wiiile    man    who    hail   shot    tlie 


hilil,  was   killed  on   tlie  sp^t       IJiy'    Neck   shot    James    Myers,  the 


.f  tl 


le    partv,  ill    the   thiL^h 


at   about   the  same  ni(>inent,  a 


liite  m:iii,  nanieil  \\  in,  shot   a  s(|uaw,  sister  of  Hi'j;  Neck;  as  si 


slic  cxclaimcil 


Hrolli 


er 


I 


im  eoin 


if  to  d 


le  iiiiKiccut — avenue 


od  !"      She  had  scarcely  spoken,  when  an  Indi.iii.  soinetin 


eilled  lowa\  Jim.  ai 


It    oil 


rr- 


and  dis(  handed    its  contents   in 
A    Inrioiis   Ijiiiit    ensued,   in    \\!ii 
dri\e!i   from   the  eioniid. 


M; 

to  W 


III  s 


K(  Irher,  levelled    his   rille 
t!  iuli,  fraetiirinu  the  hone. 


■li    tl 


le    w  lutes    w  ere  de 


lied,  and 


150 


niOCill  APIIY, 


Win,  being  unable  1o  escajx',  was  fouml  on  the  battle-<rround  by 
his  exaspcniti'd  cnoniifs,  wlio  iiiiiiiediatcly  pri'imrrd  to  burn  their 
vii'tini.  A  |)ik;  was  raised  anniiul  him,  and  liicd.  As  the  flame 
began  toeiK.'ireh'.  iiim,  Big  Neck,  pointing  to  tliedead  und  wounded, 
thus  addressed  tlie  murderer  of  ids  ]ie(iple  : 

"Sec  there!  looli !  Vou  iiavo  killed  all  that  was  dear  to  nic — 
my  brother,  my  brother's  wile,  and  her  eliiUl.  See  the  blood — it 
flows  befort!  you.  Look  at  that  woman;  her  arm  was  never  raised 
again >t  an  American  ;  the  child  never  wronged  you — it  was  inno- 
cent ;  tiie\'  ha\("  gone  to  the  (ireat  Spirit.  1  I'ame  In  meet  you 
wilii  the  pipe  of  peace  in  m\'  mouth.  1  did  you  no  wrong;  you 
(ired  u]iou  me,  and  see  wliat  you  lia\e  done — see  my  own  scpiaw 
with  Ik.t  iiead  l)leeding;  thougli  not  dead,  she  is  woundi'd.  Now 
listen — you  are  not  a  /mirr,  you  are  a  dotj.  If  you  were  a  Iruvc,  1 
would  treat  you  ;is  !i  brave,  but  as  you  are  a  dog,  I  will  treat  you  as 
a  t/iif/. 

IIt>re  l?ig  Nei'k  paused,  listeii(>i|  to  the  crackling  of  the  fagots, 
and,  with  his  knife  drawn,  eyed  his  victim  for  a  monn  iit,  when,  as 
the  (lames  liurst  forth,  and  werc^  approaching  tlie  body,  he  s])rang 
over  diem,  scalped  the  tated  W  in,  and,  wiule  yet  alive,  cut  open  his 
breast,  tore  out  his  hcirt,  liit  oil"  a  piece,  then  tlirowing  it  back  into 
tlie  Ihiiues,  i!  was  consumed  with  tlie  body. 

The  tidings  of  this  all'air  soon  reaciied  the  settlements;  every 
where  it  was  proclaimed,  "'I'lie  Indians  are  killing  the  whites." 
Most  of  tin-  bonier  settlers  aljandoiied  their  homes.  An  order  was 
issued  from  Jelfer.soii  Jhirraeks,  to  tiio  odicer  in  commaiid  at  Fort 
Leavenworth,  to  march  forthwith  ;igaiiist  the  liiilians.  A  largo 
detachmeat  ol'  I  iiited  States  infaiilr\  was  sent  IVoiii  Missouri  in  a 
uleamboal,  ^vhil.st  the  governor  ordered  out  the  militia.  The  agent 
of  the  lowavs,  fieiieral  Hughes,  was  ntpiired  to  eo-operato.  The 
militia  were  marched  direct  to  the  battle-ground,  and  thence  bav^k 
•train,  having  accom])]isheil  notliin::  The  first  Mep  taken  by  the 
agen*   was  to  deliver  elexeii  of  the  jiriiicipal    men  of  the   loway 


MOANAIIONflA. 


181 


nation  as  lioslajjjfs  for  tlu^  i^ooil  cunilnit  of  llnit  projdo.  With 
tlioso,  Gciii'ial  Lcavciiwnrtli  nlnrncd  wilii  liis  command  to  St. 
Louis.  'I'lio  aifc'il  iIkm  proci'cdcd  willi  tnnr  men  to  tlio  hnttli:- 
;ironnd ;  takinj^  the  trail  from  tlicncp,  he  puimkmI  liiir  Ni-'i'k  and 
liis  jtarly  to  tlic  H|)|H'r  Mississippi,  and  to  lli(>  waters  of  tlic  lower 
loway  rixcr,  a  disiancc  hut  liltlc,  if  anv,  sliort  of  four  liundrcti 
miles,  line  lie  fill  in  w  itli  Taiuiali,  or  tlie  Bear  w  hose  screams 
lualu'  the  rocks  Irenihle,  ami  his  son,  Apanuise,  who  were  on  tin; 
I'olecat  river,  near  Fort  .Madison.  From  'J'aimali  and  his  son,  lit! 
leiu'ued  where  Hig'  Neck  was  (Mican>ped,  and  was  acconi])anied  to 
llu!  spot  hy  a  party  of  flanks  and  Fc-ii-s.  Caution  hecanio  neces- 
sary ;  and,  as  tliey  approached  Big  Xeck's  party,  tliey  lay  con- 
cealed in  the  (lay,  and  advanced  upon  it  only  in  the  night.  Jusi 
hcforc  day,  having  had  the  camp  in  view  the  previous  evening, 
when  all  was  still,  the  agent  approached,  and  stepped  quickly  into 
Big  Xeck's  lodge.  Here  he  was  safe;  for,  in  accordance  with  the 
iudian  practice,  i|o  outrage  i.s  ever  lu-rmitted  upon  any  person, 
though  an  enemy,  who  takes  refuge  within  i  lodge;  no  blood  is 
allowed  1o  stain  the  groinid  within  its  precincts.  Big  Neck  was 
just  in  the  act  of  raising  himself  from  his  hulfalo  skin,  as  the  agent 
enten^l  his  lodge.  The  object  of  the  visit  was  explained.  But 
few  words  were  spoken,  when  Big  Xeck  said,  "  Fll  go  with  you; 
a  brave  man  dii-s  hut  once — cowards  are  always  dying."  Where- 
upon he  surrendered  liimself  and  his  party.  They  were  marched 
to  the  Kapidc  Des  Moines.  On  arriving  there.  Big  Neck  ordered 
his  squaws  to  return.  The  agent  at  once  interpreted  the  object, 
and  turning  to  his  iV.ur  men,  said,  "  Get  your  guns  ready,  for  Big 
Xeck  means  to  kill  us."  The  squaws  ascended  the  hill  that  rises 
from  the  margin  of  the  river  at  that  ])lace,  and  were  clustering 
al)out  its  summit ;  and  just  as  they  were  turning  to  witness  the 
m\ird(T  of  the  agent  and  his  four  men,  a  point  which  makes  out 
into  the  river  was  suddenly  turned  by  the  advan^'C  of  a  little  lleetof 
live  boats,  filled  with  United  States  troous,  uader  the  command  of 


18'J 


nr()(iu  Ai'ii  V 


Liciiti  iiiiiit  Morris.  'I'lic  sipiaws,  scciiiif  lliis,  nislicd  suddenly 
ildwii  llii'  liill,  with  linwls  iiiid  crios,  ;iii<l  llirow  ini;  i1iciiim1\i's  jit 
llic  ,'i^t'iil's  t'i'ct,  Iii'l;l;('(1  fur  tlicir  lives.  'I'lic  iiiicniicr  u;is,  tliat 
tin  V  sii|i|toscd  tlif  I'lnt  fur  till!  drstriic'tidii  dl'  tlif  a^fciil  ami  liis 
i'om|iaiiiniis  liad  liccii  discnvcrcil,  and  that  the  Indians  would  ho 
niadi' to  atone  lor  it  with  tin  ir  li\es.  A  nionicnt  lon^'er,  and  tho 
a'_'ent  and  his  nun  wcuild  have  hcen  slain.  'I'his  was  one  of  llioso 
rare  and  tinaly  intir|iositioiis  that  ean  ht;  resolved  into  nothing 
short   of  the  agency  of  Providence. 

Jlh  veu    of  the    |iriiiei|ial    Indians,    inelndiiitr    Wv^    Xeek,   we 
transferred   to  llle^,e  lioats,  ami    eonvtyed   to  St.  Louis,  whilst   the 
lue,    in    ehaiLie  of  one   of  (ieneral    ilu<'lies's    men,   were   sent 


ro 


resK 


across   the  eounlrv  iii   the  direction   ol   tlieir  iioines.     Arruiiiif  at 
St.  l,ouis,  arraiiiicnients  were  made   for  the  trial  of  the    ii 


nsoiiors, 


on  a  char^^e  of  nuirder,  w  liieli,  it  was  alle;,'((l,  had  heen  cominilted 
in  iJandoIjih  connly.  'I'lio  trial  was  tlieu  onlered  to  take  jilace  in 
tliat  count  V,  wliither  the  prisoners  were  eonveved.  Tlu!  jur}',  with- 
out lea\inL,f  their  liov,  liroiiLiht  in  a  verdict  of  /iti/  f/iiilfi/. 

BifJ  Neck,  iieinii  now  on  friendly  terms  w  ith  the  a|^'ent,  agreed 
to  uceotnpany  him  to  his  \ill;e_je.  He  was  in  deep  distress,  and 
went  into  mourninu:,  hy  hlai'Kiii^  his  face,  nor  did  lie  ever  remove 
this  s\  nihol  of  un'ief  to  tlie  day  of  his  death.  lie  was  asked  his 
reason  fortius,     lie  answered,  "I  am  ashamed  to  look    ujion  the 


f  IllV 


sun.      I  lia\('  insulted  the  (Ireat  Spirit  !iv  sellino-  llic  hones  o 
fathers — it   is  rit^lit  that    I  should   mourn." 

Al'<mt  five  yeiu's  after  his  lri:d,  ]V\>^  Xick  led  a  war  party  of 
ahoiit  fil'ty  men  in  pursuit  of  a  part\  of  Sioux,  who  had  pi'iietrated 
the  eountrv  to  his  villai;e,  and  stole  nine  of  his  horses.  lU;  took 
w  ith  him  in  this  expedition  a  famous  hrave,  called  I'ekeiima,  or  the 
Little  Star.  The  party  soon  came  within  sinht  of  lln!  Sioux,  who 
lied,  tlirowin^if  heliind  tlii-m  thi'ir  leo;o;ins  and  nioccasons,  and  drie(' 
hufValo  mi-at,  which  indieateil  tlh'ir  defeat.  Ui^f  Neck,  however, 
wu>i  re.solved  on  jiunishin;^  them,  and  ordered  his  men  to  charge. 


MOANAII()N(i  A. 


l''.! 


'I'lif  Sioux  had  tiilu'ii  n  I'lii:*'  in  a  larj;^  lia/.rl  tliickcl,  aliovo  wliiili 
lowcrt'd  Irros,  tliick  set  witli  Inliairc,  into  tuo  of  wliicli,  two  Sioux, 


nuf  a  chii 


I",  liaii  cliiiilii'il.      Ilacli  (if  llicsi'  Siiiii\   M  Irctcd   his   iii: 


III, 


one  III'  lliciii  Hi'.i-  N('<'K,  tlic  ntlicr,  the  I,itt!i'  Star,  and  as  the  |iarly 
nishrd  into  the  lliickft,  tlu-y  Itotli  tired — lliy;  \(ck  was  slmt  tiiroHL'li 
till'  iircast  ;  tln^  Litth'  Star  frll  dead  iVoiii  his  horse.  Seeing  theiii 
fall,  tiio  two  Sioux  sj)raiii,'  from  tlu;  trees  to  take  tlieir  sealps. 
The  Sioux  (diicf,  who  liad  siiot  ]Viir  Neek,  hastened  to  ids  liody, 
and  while    in   the  act   of  takiiiLf  his  scaij),  the  dviuLr  savage  ih'ew 


luife   wilii   one   hand,  and  with   the  other  trra.' 


ped   the    Sioux, 


I  iron 


rht  1 


iiui  111  eonl.aet  m  itli   hini,  threw  luiii,  and   tiieii,  w  i 


ith   1 


us 


reniaiiiint,'  streiiiflli,  fell  upon  the  hody  of  the  Sioux,  and  slahhed, 
and  sralped  hiiii.  A\'li(  n  they  were  fouml,  that  was  their  position — 
the  Sioiix  on  till'  ground,  and  HiLT  Xeek  lyiiiLT  across  his  dead  liody, 
\vilh  Ids  scalp  drippiiiif  with  iilndd  in  one  iiand,  and  Ins  knife 
lirnily  ijrrasped   in  tlic  other. 

On  witnessiiej;  this  spictacle,  Ijoth  parties  retired  from  the  liiilit, 
each  (h(^p!y  deploriiiif  the  death  of  their  favorite  chief,  and   iuter- 


retiim'  so   I'l'i'at  a  calamitv  unto   the   aiiuer  of  the   Great,   Siiirit, 


the\'   made  ]iea(a',  and   remain   iViends  to  this  da^ . 


24 


PUSHMATAHA. 


Tins  iiidiviihial  \\;ih  a  disliii^niislicd  warrior  nf  the  Choctaw 
ii;iti(iii,  ami  a  I'air  siicciiiicii  of  tlir  lalcnls  and  ))r(>|H'iisiti('s  (if  tlit; 
iiKidrrn  Indian.  It  will  liavu  lifcri  noticed,  by  those  who  havt;  j)ai(l 
attention  to  Indian  history,  that  the  savaj,'e  character  is  always  seen 
in  a  niodilled  aspect,  anionir  those  of  the  trihes  who  resiile  in  jnxta- 
]iosition  with  till'  w  lutes.  We  are  not  |ire|i,ired  to  sav  that  it  is  either 
elevated,  or  softened,  liy  this  relation;  hut  it  is  certainh'  chani;ed. 
The  strong  hereditary  bias  of  the  u  ild  and  untamed  rover  of  the 
forest,  remains  in  jirominent  de\elo|tment,  \Nhile  some  of  the  arts, 
and  many  of  the  vices  nf  the  civili/ed  man,  arc  en<4ral'tcd  npon 
tliem.  The  Chnctaws  have  had  their  ])rinci|)al  residence  in  that 
part  of  the  country  cast  of  the  Mississippi  river,  which  now  forms 
the  State  of  Mississippi,  and  have  had  intercourse  with  tlu!  Jluro- 
pean  race,  from  tlu^  time  of  the  discovery  of  that  region  hy  the 
I'lencli,  nearly  two  ceiituri(\s  a<fo.  In  l^'JO,  that  trilie  w;  suj)- 
posed  to  consist  of  a  ])opula1ion  of  twenty-fiv(!  thousand  souls. 
Tliev  have  always  maintaineil  friendlv  relations  with  the  American 
jicople,  and  have  permilted  our  missionaries  to  reside  amon!..f  them  ; 
some  of  them  have  aiMicli'd  themselvi's  to  agriculture,  and  a  lew 
of  their  females  liave  intermarried  with  the  white  traders 

l'ushir,-i1-'!iri  was  horn  ahoiil  the  year  1T(!1,  and  at  the  age  of 
twcntv  was  a  'plain,  or  a  w:ir  chiel',  and  a  i^rcat  hunter.  In  the 
hitler  oc  iipatic  li,  lie  often  passed  to  the  western  side  of  tlu^  Missis- 
si[)pi,  to  1:011^  liie  liuiralo,  upon  the  wide  plains  lying  towards  our 
southern   frontier.     On   om;  occasion,  while  hunting  on   the   Red 

(is.-i) 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  M\K*  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14560 

(716)  872- -yiJ 


iV 


186 


BIOGRAPHY. 


rJMT,  ^villi  a  purl}'  of  Choctaws,  lie  was  attaclicd  l)j  ;i  ]innil)cr  of 
Indians  of  a  1ril)c  called  llio  Callagt'liciTlis,  near  llic  Spimish  line, 
and  tolijlly  dcfivited.  lie  made  Lis  own  osrapo,  alone,  to  a  Sjianisli 
setllemcnt,  wliere  he  arrived  nearl}'  starved;  Laving',  wLile  on  tlio 
wa\',  given  a  little  ln.rse,  lh;it  Lc  fonnd  gnizing  on  tlic  plains,  lur  a 
single  flsli.  lie  remained  witL  the  Spaniards  five  j'ears,  employing 
Linisclf  as  a  linnter,  brooding  over  the  plans  of  v(Migeanee  -whieL 
lie  afterwards  executed,  and  prolialily  colleeling  the  information 
necessary  to  the  sncccss  of  Lis  scLeme.  Wandering  back  to  tlie 
CLoctaw  counlrv,  alone,  Le  came  by  stealtL,  in  tlie  niglit,  to  a  little 
villaije  of  the  enemies  by  whom  Le  Lad  jjeen  defeated,  suddenly 
rushed  in  upon  them,  killed  seven  of  the  inhabitants,  and  set  fire 
to  the  lodges,  which  were  entirely  consumed  before  the  surviving 
oceiipanis  recovered  from  their  alarm. 

Al1(T  tills  fi'at,  he  remained  in  his  own  nation  about  six  years, 
increasing  his  reputation  as  a  hunter,  and  engaging  occasionally  in 
the  affairs  of  liis  triiie.  lie  tiien  raised  a  party  of  his  own  friends, 
and  led  them  to  seek  a  fiirtluu'  revenge  for  the  defeat  which  still 
rankled  in  his  bosom.  ^Vgain  he  surprised  one  of  their  towns  upon 
Ked  river,  and  killed  two  or  three  of  their  warriors  without  any  loss 
on  Lis  own  side.  But  (nigaging  in  an  extensive  Lunt,  Lis  absence 
from  home  was  jirotraclcd  to  tlie  term  of  eight  moiilhs.  Resting  from 
tliis  expedition  init  ten  davs,  he  prevailed  on  another  party  of  CLoc- 
taw warriors  to  follow  jiis  adventurous  steps  in  a  new  enterprise 
against  llie  same  enemy,  and  was  ag;un  victorious,  bringing  Lome 
six  or  seven  of  tlie  scalps  of  Lis  foes,  witLout  losing  a  man.  On 
tliis  occasiiin,  Le  A\as  aliseiit  seven  or  inglit  months.  In  one  year 
al"trrw:u-ds.  he  raised  a  new  jiarty,  led  them  against  the  foe  whom 
Le  Lad  so  often  siricken,  and  was  once  more  successful. 

Some  time  bi^fore  the  war  of  ]^]2,  a  party  of  Creek  Indians, 
who  had  been  engaged  in  a  hunting  expedition,  came  to  tlie  Choc- 
taw countr\',  and  burned  the  house  of  Pushmatrdia,  who  was  in  tlio 
neigLborhood  intentlj-  occujiied   in   phiying  ball,  a  game  at  which 


im;.siimataiia. 


187 


lie  \v;is  very  oxjjort.  lie  w;is  loo  great,  a  man  fo  siil)iiiit  1o  sudi  an 
injury,  and,  as  usual,  imnK^lialo  rctallalion  ensued.  He  led  a  party 
ol'  (^"lioctaws  into  lli(^  Creek  eonntry,  killed  several  of  tliat  nalioij,  and 
eonimilted  as  great  destruction  of  'lieir  jiroperly  as  uas  praetiealile 
iu  liis  rapid  niareli  ;  and  ho  continued  IVoiti  time  to  time,  nntil  the 
hrcaldng  out  of  the  war  between  the  United  Stales  and  Great 
llritaiii,  to  prosecute  the  hostilities  growing  out  of  this  fend  with 
relentless  vigor;  assailing  the  Cnn'ks  freipienlly  w  ith  small  jjarties, 
by  surprise,  and  eoiinuilting  indiserimiuate  devastation  upon  the 
j)ro])ei'fy  or  peojile  of  that  trilie.  Sueii  are  the  quarrels  of  great 
men;  and  sueli  have  been  the  border  wars  of  rndc  nations  from 
the  earliest  times. 

In  the  war  that  suee(H'de<l,  he  was  always  the  first  tf)  lead  a  party 
against  th('  IJritish  or  their  Indian  allies;  and  he  did  much  injury 
to  the  Creeks  and  Seminoles,  during  that  contest.  His  military 
jjrowes.s  and  success  gained  for  him  the  liouorar\-  title  which  he 
seems  to  have  well  deserved ;  and  he  was  usually  called  General 
]'ushmat;dia. 

'I'liis  chief  was  not  descended  from  any  distinguished  family, 
but  was  raised  to  eouimaiid,  when  a  }oung  man,  in  consequence 
of  his  talents  and  prowess.  He  was  always  poor,  and  Avhen  not 
eunagt^d  in  war,  followed  the  chase  with  ardor  and  siicccss.  He 
w;is  brave  and  geiuM'ons;  kind  to  those  who  were  necessitous,  ruid 
lios|)ita]ile  to  the  stranger.  The  eagerness  wUh  which  he  sought 
to  revenge  himself  n|)on  his  enemies,  allbrds  no  evidence  of  fero- 
citv  of  character;  but  is  in  strict  conlbrmity  with  the  Indian  code 
of  honor,  which  sanctions  siich  deeds  as  nobl}-  meritorious. 

It  is  ciu'ious  to  observe  the  singular  mi.vture  of  great  and  mean 
qualities  in  tiie  character  of  a  barbarous  ])cople.  The  same  man 
who  is  distinguished  in  www  and  in  tlii~  council,  is  often  the  subject 
of  anecdcles  whicii  rellect  little  credit  on  his  character  in  private 
life.  A\('  sliall  re[icat  the  lew  incidents  whiidi  ha\(!  reached  us,  :n 
tlie  ])ublic  and   private  history  of  Puslnn  '.talia. 


188 


BIOGRAPHY. 


lie  attended  a  council  hold  iu  1  S2;3,  near  the  residence  of  Major 
Pilcldynn,  a  wcaltliy  trader  among  tlic  Choclaws,  and  at  a  distance 
of  eiylity  miles  from  his  own  habitation.  Tlic  business  was  closed 
on  tlie  third  of  Jidy,  and  on  the  following  (ki}-,  the  anniversary  of 
nui  independence,  a  dinner  was  given  by  Major  Pitchlynn,  to 
Colonel  Ward,  the  agent  of  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
and  the  principal  chiefs  who  were  present.  "When  the  guests  were 
about  to  depart,  it  was  observed  that  General  Pushmataha  had  no 
liorsc;  and  as  he  was  getting  to  be  too  old  to  prosecute  so  long  a 
journey  on  foot,  the  government  agent  suggested  to  Mr.  Pitchlynn, 
the  propriety  of  presenting  him  a  horse.  This  was  readily  agreed 
to,  on  the  condition  that  the  chief  would  promise  not  to  exchange 
the  horse  for  wliisky  ;  and  the  old  warrior,  mounted  upon  a  fine 
3'oung  animal,  went  upon  his  way  rejoicing.  It  was  not  long  before 
he  visited  the  Agency  on  foot,  and  it  was  discovered  that  he  had 
lost  his  horse  in  betting  at  ball-pla}-.  "  But  did  you  not  promise 
Mr.  Pitchlynn,"  said  the  agent,  "that  you  would  not  sell  his 
hor.sc  ?"  "  I  did  so,  in  the  presence  of  yourself  and  many  others," 
replied  the  cliief,  "  but  I  did  not  promise  that  I  Mnuld  not  risk  the 
horse  on  a  game  of  ball." 

It  is  said  that,  during  the  late  war.  General  Pushmataha,  having 
joined  our  southern  army  ^\•ith  some  of  his  warriors,  was  arrested 
l)y  the  commanding  general  for  striking  a  soldier  witli  his  sword. 
AVhen  asked  by  the  commander,  why  he  had  committed  this  act  of 
violence,  1'  ;  replied  that  llie  soldier  had  been  rnde  to  his  wife,  and 
that  he  had  )idy  given  him  a  blow  or  two  with  tlie  side  of  tlie 
sword,  to  teach  him  belter  njaimers — "  but  if  it  had  l)een  you, 
general,  instead  of  a  private  soldier,"  continued  he,  "I  should 
have  used  the  sharp  edge  of  my  sword,  in  defence  of  my  wife,  who 
has  come  so  far  to  visit  a  great  warrior  like  myself" 

At  a  time  wlien  a  guard  of  eig'it  or  ten  men  was  kept  at  the 
Agency,  one  of  the  soldiers  liaving  become  intoxicated,  was 
ordered  to  be;  confined ;  and  as  there  was  no  guard-house,  the  tein 


PUSHMATAHA. 


189 


porary  arrest  was  eflcctcd  by  Ijiug'  tin;  oniiitlcr.  Pushmataha 
seeing  the  uiau  in  this  situation,  inquired  the  cause,  and  on  being 
informed,  exclaimed,  "is  tliat  all'"'  and  immediately  untied  tlie 
unfortunate  soldier,  rem.u'iving  cooU}-,  "many  good  warriors  get 
drunk." 

At  a  meeting  ui  business  at  the  Agency,  at  ^\•hich  several  Ameri- 
can gentlemen,  and  some  of  the  chief  men  of  the  Choctaw  nation 
\\erc  pre.sent,  the  conversation  turned  upon  the  Indian  custom  of 
marrying  a  plurality  of  wives.  Pushmataha  r<;marked  that  he  had 
two  wives,  and  intended  to  have  always  the  same  number.  Being 
asked  if  he  did  not  think  the  practice  wrong,  the  chief  replied, 
"No;  is  it  not  right  that  every  woman  should  be  married? — and 
how  can  that  be,  when  there  arc  more  ■woiucn  than  men,  unless 
some  men  marry  more  than  one?  \Vhen  our  Great  Father  the 
President,  caused  the  Indians  to  be  counted  last  year,  it  was  found 
that  the  women  were  most  niunerous,  and  if  one  man  could  have 
but  one  wife,  some  women  would  have  no  husbands." 

In  1S24,  this  chief  was  at  the  city  of  Washingto".,  as  one  of  a 
deputation  sent  to  visit  the  President,  for  the  purpose  of  brighten- 
ing the  chain  of  friendship  between  the  American  people  and  the 
Choctaws.  The  venerable  Lafayette,  then  upon  his  memorable 
and  triumphal  tour  through  the  United  States,  was  at  the  same 
metropolis,  and  the  Choctaw  chiefs  came  to  pay  him  their  respects. 
Several  of  them  made  speeches,  and  among  the  rest,  Pushmataha 
addressed  him  in  these  words :  "  Nearly  fifty  snows  have  melted 
since  you  drew  the  sword  as  a  comj^anion  of  Washington.  M'ith 
him  you  fought  the  enemies  of  America.  You  mingled  your  blood 
witli  that  of  the  encm}',  and  proved  yourself  a  -warrior.  After  you 
.  finished  that  war,  j-ou  returned  to  3'ourown  country;  and  now  you 
aie  come  back  to  visit  ;.  land,  where  you  are  honored  by  a  nume- 
rous ai'd  powerful  people.  You  see  every  where  the  children  of 
those  by  whose  side  you  went  to  battle,  crowding  around  you,  and 
shaking  yoitr  hand,  as  llie  hand  of  a  Hither.     We  have  heard  iheso 


190 


HHKiU  AIMI  V. 


tilings  told  ill  our  distant  villai^M's,  and  dur  lioarls  longed  to  see  you. 
Wo  hiivc  oonir,  wc  havo  taken  yon  \>y  llio  hand,  and  arc  satisfied. 
This  is  tho  lirst  time  \vc  have  .seen  3'on ;  it  will  ])ro])alily  bo  the 
hist.     \Vc  have  no  more  to  .say.     The  eartli  will  part  ns  for  over." 

The  did  warrior  prnnonncrd  lliese  words  with  an  alleded  solem- 
nity of  voice  and  manner.  He  seemed  to  feil  a  presentiment  of 
the  brevity  of  his  own  life.  The,  concluding  remark  of  his  s])eccli 
was  proj)lic'tic.  In  a  few  days,  he  was  no  more.  lie  was  ta.ken 
sick  at  ^^'ashington,  and  died  in  a  slnnmc  land.  A\'hen  he  found 
that  his  end  was  ajiproaching,  he  called  his  companions  around 
him,  and  desired  them  to  raise  him  up,  to  bring  his  arms,  and  to 
decorate  him  with  all  his  ornaments,  that  his  death  might  bo  that 
of  a  man.  He  was  particularlv  anxious  that  his  interment  should 
be  accompanied  with  militaiy  honors,  and  when  a  j)romise  was 
kindly  given  that  his  wishes  should  bo  fulfilled,  he  b,'camc  cheerful, 
and  conversed  with  comjjosure  until  the  niomont  when  he  expired 
without  a  groan.  In  conversation  with  his  Indian  friends,  shortly 
before  his  death,  he  said,  "  I  shall  die,  Ijut  you  will  return  to  our 
brethren.  As  you  go  along  tlie  paths,  you  will  see  the  flowers,  and 
hear  the  birds  sing,  but  rushmataha  w  ill  see  them  and  hear  them 
no  more.  A\  hen  you  shall  come  to  your  home,  they  will  ask  you, 
W/icre  is  PnahniataJui  /  and  von  will  say  to  tliem.  He  is  no  more. 
Thoy  will  hear  the  tidings  like  the  sound  of  tlie  fall  of  a  mighty 
oak  in  the  stillness  of  the  woods." 

The  onl}'  speech  made  by  Pushmataha,  on  the  occasion  of  his 
visit  to  ^^'ashing1on,  was  the  follow  ing.  It  was  intended  by  him 
to  be  an  opening  address,  which,  had  lie  lived,  he  would  doubtless 
have  followed  by  anotlier  more  like  himself  "We  took  it  down  as 
he  spoke  it.     The  jier.soii  addressed  was  the  Secretary  of  War. 

"  Faliter — I  have  been  here  some  tinic!.  I  have  not  talked — have 
been  sick.  You  shall  hear  me  talk  to-day.  I  belong  to  another 
district.     You  have  no  douijt  heard  of  me — I  am  Vushmataha 

"  Father — \\  hen  in  my  own  eoiinliy,  I  often  looked  towards  this 


PUSHMATAHA. 


191 


Council  House,  and  wanted  to  come  hero.  I  am  in  trouble.  I  will 
tell  my  distrcs.scs.  I  feel  like  a  small  child,  not  half  as  high  as  its 
father,  who  comes  up  to  look  in  his  fatlicr's  face,  hanging  in  the 
bend  of  his  arm,  to  tell  him  his  troubles.  So,  Father,  I  hang  in 
(he  bend  of  your  arm,  and  look  in  your  face,  and  now  hear  me 
speak. 

"  Viithcr — "When  I  was  in  my  own  cnun1r\-,  I  heard  there  were 
men  appointed  to  talk  to  us.  I  would  not  si)eak  lliere;  I  chose  to 
<'ome  here,  and  speak  in  this  beloved  house.  I  can  boast,  and  say, 
and  tell  the  truth  tliat  none  of  my  f  ithcrs,  or  grandfathers,  nor  any 
Clioctrw  ever  drew  bows  against  the  United  States.  They  have 
always  been  friendly.  "We  have  held  the  hands  of  tlie  United 
Stales  so  long,  that  our  nails  are  long  like  birds'  claws ;  and  there 
is  no  danger  of  their  slipping  out. 

"  Father — I  have  come  to  s])eak.  My  nation  has  always  listened 
to  the  applications  of  the  white  jieople.  They  have  given  of  their 
country  till  it  is  very  small.  I  repeat  the  same  about  the  land  east 
of  the  Tonil)igl)y.  I  came  here  when  a  young  man  to  see  my 
Fathei^Jefferson.  lie  told  me  if  ever  we  got  in  trouble,  we  must 
run  and  tell  him.  I  am  come.  This  is  a  friendly  talk ;  it  is  like  a 
man  who  meets  another,  and  says,  How  do  you  do  '  Another  will 
talk  fu.tlier." 

The  celebrated  John  Ilandol])h,  in  a  speech  upon  the  floor  of 
the  Senate,  alluded  thus  to  the  forest  chieftain,  whose  brief 
memoirs  we  have  attempted  to  sketch  :  "  Sir,  in  a  laic  visit  to  the 
public  grave-yard,  my  attention  was  arrested  by  the  simple  monu- 
ment of  the  Choctaw  Chief  Pushmataha.  He  was,  I  have  been 
told  by  those  who  knew  him,  one  of  nature's  nobility  ;  a  man  who 
would  have  adorned  any  society.  lie  lies  quietly  by  the  side  of 
our  statesmen  and  high  magistrates  in  the  region — for  there  is  one 
such — where  the  red  man  and  the  white  man  are  on  a  level.  On 
the  sides  of  the  plain  shaft  that  marks  his  place  of  burial,  I  read 
these  words :  '  rushmntnha,  a  Choctair  CJiirf,  lirs  licre.  T/iis  monu- 
86 


192 


BIOGRAPHY. 


incnt  to  his  incmorij  is  erected  hi/  his  brother  ehie/s,  vho  were  asso- 
lialrd  irith  him  in  a  dchtjation  from  thir  nation,  in  the  year  182  I, 
to  tJie  (jorernment  of  tlie  United  States.  Piis/uiiataha  vas  a  ivarrior 
of  great  distinction.  lie  was  wise  in  council,  eloquent  in  an  e.rlra- 
ordinari/  degree  ;  and  on  all  occasions,  and  under  all  circumstances, 
the  white  mail  s  friend.  lie  died  in  Washington,  on  the  ~ith  of 
Deeeniher,  1S'.24,  ff  the  croup,  in  the  00///  gear  of  his  age.'  "  Ani()ii<r 
his  last  words  were  the  followinir :  "\\'lien  I  am  <roiic,  let  the  big 
<.nins  be  fired  over  nie." 

Tills  chief  had  five  eliildreu.  Ilis  oldest  son  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  after  having  completed  an  excellent  English  cducalioii. 
Tlie  oth(-rs  were  young  at  the  time  of  the  decease  of  their  f  ither. 
A  inedal  has  been  sent  by  the  President  to  the  oldest  surviving  son, 
as  a  testimony  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  a  warrior,  whose 
attachment  to  our  government  was  steady  and  unshaken,  through- 
out his  life. 

The  day  after  tlie  funeral  of  Pushmataha,  the  deputation  visited 
the  olhce  in  charge  of  the  pvureau  of  Indian  Affairs.  Tlie  counte- 
nances of  the  chiefs  wore  a  gloom  which  such  a  loss  was  well 
calculated  to  create.  Over  the  face  of  one  of  the  dcjputation,  how- 
ever, was  a  cloud  darker  than  the  rest,  and  tlie  expression  of  his 
face  told  a  talc  of  deeper  sorrow.  A.sk  that  young  man,  said  the 
olliccr  in  charge  of  the  Bureau,  what  is  the  matter  Avitli  him.  The 
answer  was,  '•  I  am  sorry."  Ask  him  what  makes  him  sorry.  Tlie 
loss,  the  answer  was  expected  to  be,  of  our  beloved  chief — But  no — 
it  was,  ••  I  am  .soiry  it  was  not  me."  Ask  him  to  explain  wh.-it  he 
means  by  l)eiiig  sorry  that  it  was  not  him.  The  ceremonies  of  the 
funeral,  the  reader  will  bear  in  mind,  were  very  imposing.  The  old 
chief  had  said,  "When  I  am  gone,  let  the  big  guns  be  fired  over 
nic ;"  and  they  were  fired.  Besides  the  discharge  of  minute  guns 
on  th(^  Capitol  Hill,  and  from  the  ground  contiguous  to  the  j)lace 
of  interment,  tliere  was  an  immense  concourse  of  citizens,  a  long 
train  of  carriages,  cavalry,  military,  bands  of  music,  the  whole  pro- 


PUSHMATAHA. 


193 


cession  extending  at  least  a  mile  in  length;  and  there  were  thou- 
sands lining  the  ways,  and  filling  the  doors  and  windows,  and  then 
the  uHhlruy  honors  at  the  grave,  combined  to  produce  in  this  youn- 
chict's  ,nin.l  a  feeling  of  regret  that  he  had  not  been,  himself,  the 
subject  of  these  lionors-IIence  his  reply-"  1  am  somj  it  was  not 
me;     and  so  he  explained  himself. 


TSlIlZUiMlAUKAU. 


TsuizuMiAUiCAU,  or  He  who  runs  rvilh  the  deer,  is  a  Winnebago 
warrior,  of  remarkablo  genius  and  singular  character.  He  unites 
the  characters  of  the  conjurer  and  medicine-man  with  that  of  the 
brave,  without  losing  any  of  his  reputation  for  manliness  and 


It  is  a  peculiarity  of  savage  life,  tliat  but  one  liigh  road  to  distinc- 
tion exists.  War  is  the  only  occupation  which  is  considered  as 
ciipuble  of  giving  exercise  to  the  highest  powers  of  manhood. 
Hunting  is  the  business  of  their  life,  and  expcrtness  in  this  ciuploy- 
niout,  and  in  the  various  arts  belonging  to  it,  is  highly  estimated; 
but  to  be  a  successful  hunter  confers  respectability  rather  than  dis- 
tinction. The  spoils  of  the  chase  afford  sustenance,  and  to  the  able 
or  fortunate  hunter  give  that  competency  which  stands  in  the  place 
of  wealth ;  but  the  standing  gained  by  this  employment,  in  its  best 
aspect,  is  only  equal  to  that  of  a  successful  man  of  business  in 
civilized  communities.  Oratory  ranks  a  little  higher,  and  carries 
with  it  a  certain  degree  of  popular  inllucnco,  which  is  eagerly 
sought  after  by  the  aspiring  savage.  Strength,  swiftness,  e.xpert- 
ness  in  horsemanship,  and  other  qualities  which  enable  their 
possessor  to  triumph  in  athletic  sports,  and  give  grace  and  manli- 
ness to  his  movements,  are  highl}'  prized.  But  all  these  are  but 
the  accomplishments  considered  dcsiralile  to  give  finish  to  the 
character  of  the  warriorj  for  without  military  distinction  all  else  is 
as  the  sounding  brass  and  tinkling  cymbal. 

A  few  men  among  the  Indians  have  gained  high  repute,  and 
maintained  a  commanding  influence  through  life,  without  the  aid  of 
a  military  reputation.     One  of  these  was  Red  Jacket,  who  never 

a95) 


106 


BIOGRAPHY. 


attained  ;iiiy  sliiii(liiifi[  as  a  warrior,  nor  set  up  any  prctiMisions  to 
niarlial  skill  or  faiiK^;  and  .some  oilier  iiisstaiiccs  liavo  Lccii  recorded 
ill  lliis  work.  JJiil  tlie.so  were  iiien  of  eoiisutuniatc  ability,  whose 
taliiits  wcri'  uscfnl  to  tli(>ir  jjeople,  and  u  liose  genius  elevated  tlu'in 
above  the  operation  of  general  rules;  and,  in  the  ease  of  Ked 
Jaeket,  there  were  a  nationality,  a  zeal,  and  tenacity,  with  which  ho 
adhered  to  tlie  side  of  his  own  jieople,  right  or  wrong,  in  all  their 
controversies  with  the  whites,  and  clung  to  the  customs  and  pre- 
judices of  his  ancestors,  that  endeared  him  to  the  Senecas.  But 
these  arc  rare  examples,  in  which  the  strong  law  of  human  nature 
jirevails  over  the  peculiarities  of  national  character. 

It  follows,  that  tho.se  who  are  incapacitated  by  indolence,  bodily 
debility,  and  mental  weakness,  from  earning  laurels  on  the  field  of 
battle,  sink  into  insignificance  and  even  contempt,  unh'ss  they  can 
strike  out  some  other  mode  of  securing  respectability.  Tlic  same 
causes  which  render  them  unfit  for  warriors,  operate  e.pially  against 
tlieir  success  in  cither  of  the  occuj)ations  we  have  alluded  to.  But 
no  debility,  either  pliysical  or  menial,  prevents  a  man  from  becom- 
ing a  doctor;  as  in  this  occidt  science,  skilful  practice  and  skilful 
imposture  ajjproaeli  as  nearly  as  the  sublime  and  the  ridiculous. 
We  think  that  the  majority  of  the  Indian  pro])hets,  conjurers,  and 
medicine-men,  have  their  origin  in  this  principle.  Though  indo- 
lent, or  pusillanimous,  or  vuifortunato  in  laboring  under  some 
ph3'sical  deticiency,  they  have  been  compensated  by  a  sufficient 
portion  of  that  cunning  which  Nature  bestows  upon  inferior  crea- 
tures, to  enable  them  to  impose  on  the  credulity  of  the  people.  A 
few  of  these  persons  have  undoubtedly  been  fanatics,  who  were 
self-deluded  ;  but  we  suppose  the  greater  part  of  them  to  be  crafty 
impostors,  whose  highest  motive  is  to  gain  a  livcliliood,  without 
incurring  the  danger  and  fatigue  of  war  or  hunting,  and  to  rise 
above  the  contempt  of  a  wholly  idle  and  useless  life. 

The  standing  of  this  class  may  be  readily  imagined.  A  savage 
people,  without  arts  or  literature,  who  scarcely  ever  reason,  and  act 


TSinzrMIAUK'AU. 


197 


tilmost  ciilirrly  from  impulse,  am  casilv  illl|l(l^(•(l  iijidii.  Supcrsti- 
liuii  is  (iiic  (if  llic  tliriClicsl  pl;iiils  ill  ihc  wildcnicss  (if  nil  iiiiciilii- 
v:iI(m1  iiilcjicci  ;  it  lldiirisiics  iiiulcr  the  nidc  (■iiihirc  (if  liic  iiiost 
iiiiiiy;liii<^  imj)ost(ir.  'I'iir  iiiiiMhcr  of  siicli  persons  is  small,  for  tlio 
reasons  indieatod  above;  inactivo  employments  are  imsiiited  to  IIkj 
liiihits  and  renins  of  llie  savage;  few  will  condescend  1o  fi-!l(  w 
sueh  pnrsiiils,  and  still  iiinre  few  u  ill  undertake  the  mental  exer- 
tion of  llionirlit  and  deeeption  refpiired  for  tlie  oflice.  'J'ho  con- 
jurers, therefore,  rank  Id^li,  hecan.se  they  are  u  small  class,  ])ractis- 
iiiLT  an  occult  art,  amomx  a  superstitions  people. 

The  failures  of  this  class,  on  the  other  hand,  are  numerous,  he- 
c:ins(>  the  capital  of  intellect  emharkeil  in  it  is  small,  and  the  indo- 
lence and  improvidence  of  the  race  w  ■  uch,  that  iVw  persevere  long 
in  any  occupation  rerpiirinif  continued  attention.  TIk;  medicine- 
men and  projihets,  therefnic,  often  fill  into  (lisre])nle,  either  from 
n.'peated  want  of  success  in  their  incantations  and  predictions,  or 
i'rom  the  la/.iness  or  dissoluteness  of  life  conseipieiit  upon  a  lirief 
harvest  of  successful  [)raclice;  and  the  same  man  who  was  revered 
on  account  of  his  siip[)osed  intercourse  with  the  world  of  spirits,  is 
heartily  dos[)iscd  when  di.scovered  to  he  a  cheat.  The  brother  of 
Tecnmthe,  wlio.sc  reputation  was  very  hiizh,  and  whose  influence, 
extending;  through  several  tribes  besides  his  ow  n,  lasted  for  several 
years,  dwindled  into  a  very  iijsiiiuificant  p(-rson,  and  in  his  old  age 
there  were  "none  so  poor  to  do  him  reverence."  There  are  some 
who,  from  honesty  of  jjurpose,  or  great  native  sagacity,  become 
skilful  in  public  business,  or  useful  counsellors  in  sickness  and 
domestic  calamity,  and  retain  the  conlidiMice  of  the  people;  but  we 
lliink  that  usually  this  class  of  persons,  like  the  ipiacks  and  hum- 
hngs  of  civilized  society,  enjoy  a  short-lived  celebrity;  the  delusion 
itself  survives  in  ever-blooming  vigor;  the  gullibility  of  mind 
which  sustains  it  remains  fresh  and  prolific  as  the  bountif'il  earth, 
while  the  inijiostors  lloiirish  and  fade,  like  the  annual  plants,  in 
rapid  succession. 


198 


BIOGRAPHY. 


We  need  not  enlarge  upon  the  practice  of  the  Indian  conjurer, 
for  although  tlie  details  of  tlie  modes  of  operation  may  exhilnt  con 
siderable  variety,  none  of  them  cxliil^it  nnicli  ingenuit}-,  and  the 
leading  features  are  few,  and  exceedingly  superficial.  The  Indians 
are  not  an  imaginative  people ;  they  have  no  poetry,  no  sprightli- 
ness  of  fancy,  scarcely  any  perceptible  creative  faculty.  They 
liave  no  mythology,  no  belief  nor  theory  in  regard  to  ailother  world, 
which  is  general,  or  which  lasts  from  one  gencralion  to  anotlier. 
The  whole  subject  is  to  them  a  blank.  The  conception  or  idea, 
inseparable  from  the  existence  of  spirit,  and  which  the  human  mind, 
in  a  sane  state,  nourishes  under  every  modification  of  life,  of  a 
hereafter,  and  a  superhuman  power,  is  prevalent  among  them ;  but 
the  conception  is  so  vague  and  feeble  as  to  be  fruitless  of  any  j)rac- 
tical  result.  No  svstem  of  worship  ol)tains  amongst  them,  no 
fabric  of  superstition  has  been  reared.  AN'hen  their  minds  awaken 
for  a  moment  from  the  lethargy  that  benumbs  them,  and  soar  into 
the  regions  of  speculation,  the  flight  is  too  feeble,  and  llic  newly 
acquired  vision  too  dim,  to  yield  materials  for  any  connected  chain 
of  reasoning,  and  the  only  product  of  such  efforts,  consists  of  the 
most  puerile  and  shapeless  vagaries.  A  few  traditions  are  handed 
down  from  times  past,  but  so  mutilated  as  to  be  scarcely  traced 
from  one  generation  to  another.  The  legends,  dreams,  and  visions 
in  current  circulation,  are  mostly  of  modern  date,  but  are  fabricated 
from  the  fragments  and  reminiscences  of  other  times. 

Their  knowledge  of  the  medicinal  qualities  of  herbs  is  not  exten- 
sive. The  medicine-men  have  a  few  simple  remedies  of  this 
character,  which  are  elFicacious  in  ordinary  cases  of  disease  and 
injury,  and  in  tlie  use  of  these  the  women  are  e(]ually  expert.  In 
more  difficult  cases  they  resort  to  incantations  and  prayers  addressed 
ti  good  or  evil  spirits.  To  produce  dreams  they  resort  to  fasting 
and  boddy  penance,  carried  often  to  the  utmost  power  of  cndurunce, 
°and  by  these  means  a  disturbed  state  of  mind  is  induced,  ^\lli(•Il 
gives  rise  to  visions  of  more  or  less  coliereiice.     Great  confidence 


TSHIZUNHAUKAU. 


195) 


is  placed  in  these  dreams;  and  this  circumstance  affords  a  si  ffi- 
cient  temptation  to  cunning  men  to  feign  them,  while  it  points  out 
to  sagacious  chiefs  an  efficient  mode  through  which  a  secret  though 
powerful  influence  may  be  exerted  over  the  people. 

Tshizunhaukau  was  not  a  regular  medicine-man,  hut  he  prac- 
tised the  art  when  it  suited  his  convenience,  and  had  the  reputation 
of  possessing  the  gift.  He  was  a  sagacious  man,  who  knew  and 
thought  more  than  those  around  him.  He  noticed  the  seasons  and 
changes  of  the  atmosphere,  and  had  a  strong  memory  for  dates 
and  events.  The  portrait  represents  him  holding  in  his  hand  a 
rod,  which  was  an  invention  of  his  own,  and  was  covered  with 
marks  and  figures  representing  the  divisions  of  time,  and  certain 
changes  of  the  seasons,  to  which  were  added  signs,  indicating  the 
results  of  certain  calculations  he  had  made  respecting  the  weather. 
It  was  a  curious  and  original  invention,  the  fruit  of  an  inquisitive 
and  active  mind,  and  the  ir.dication  of  a  spirit  that  rose  above 
the  sluggish  incuriousness  of  his  race.  He  had  noticed  the  phe- 
nomena which  took  place  around  him,  with  deep  attention,  and 
had  recorded  upon  the  tablet  of  a  retentive  memory  all  that  seemed 
worthy  of  remark.  He  had  endeavored,  to  the  extent  of  his  limited 
knowledge  and  means  of  information,  to  trace  effects  to  their  causes, 
and  to  find  out  the  reasons  of  uncommon  events.  The  results  of 
these  inquiries  were  carved  upon  his  wand,  which  became  thus  an 
almanac,  and  doubtless  as  complete  a  one,  in  reference  to  his  wants, 
as  our  common  almanacs  are  to  the  enlightened  astronomer.  He 
maintained  a  high  character  as  a  warrior,  and  was  one  of  the  depu- 
tation who  accompanied  Nawkaw,  the  principal  chief  of  the  Win- 
uebagoes,  to  Washington,  in  1828. 


86 


WAKECHAI, 


A   SAUKIE  CHIEF. 


Wakechai,  or  the  Crouching  Eagle,  was  one  of  the  village 
chiefs,  or  civil  magistrates,  of  the  Saukie  nation,  and  resided  at  the 
principal  town  of  that  people,  near  the  confluence  of  Rock  river 
with  the  Mississippi,  in  one  of  the  most  beautiful  regions  of  Illi- 
nois. This  neighborhood  has  been  abandoned  by  its  Indian  inha- 
bitants, who  have  recently  removed  to  the  Iowa  territory,  on  the 
opposite  shore  of  the  Mississippi ;  but  it  will  always  be  considered 
as  classic  ground,  by  'hose  who  shall  be  engaged  in  researches  into 
the  history  of  the  Aborigines,  as  well  on  account  of  the  unrivalled 
beauty  of  the  scenery,  as  from  the  many  interesting  recollections 
connected  with  the  soil. 

T'he  subject  of  this  notice  was  a  person  of  low  stature,  with  a 
stoo^'ng  and  ungraceful  form,  a  shuffling  gait,  a  stern  savage 
exprtv  'on  of  countenance,  and  a  deportment  altogether  displeasing 
and  urn,  .nified.  Though  named  after  the  noble  bird,  regarded  by 
the  Indians  as  the  most  warlike  of  the  feathered  tribes,  and  whose 
plumage  is  appropriated  to  the  decoration  of  the  warrior's  brow, 
this  chief  never  acquired  any  reputation  as  a  bravo,  nor  do  we  know 
that  he  ever  performed  any  warlike  feat  worthy  to  be  mentioned. 
That  he  has  l)een  upon  the  war-path,  is  most  probable,  for  among  a 
people  so  entirely  military,  some  service  is  expected  of  every  indi- 
vidual. But  it  is  certain,  that  the  Crouching  Eagle,  or  as  we  should 
interpret  the  name,  the  Eagle  stooping  upon  his  prey,  gained  no 

(201) 


202 


BIOGRAPHY. 


laurels  in  the  field,  and  never  rose  to  be  a  leader  in  any  expedition. 
Ncitlier  did  ho  excel  in  manly  sports,  or  in  the  ceremonious  dances, 
so  highly  esteemed  in  savage  life. 

It  may  ho  very  naturally  inquired,  by  what  means  a  person  des- 
titute of  tlie  qualities  which  are  held  in  the  highest  repute  among 
his  people,  became  a  chief  and  a  jierson  of  influence  among  them 
Without  tlie  physical  powers  which  are  so  greatly  valued  in  savage 
life,  with  no  reputation  for  valor,  nor  any  trophy  snatched  from 
the  enemy  by  force  or  cunning,  it  would  not  seem  that  there  was 
any  community  of  feeling  between  him  and  his  associates,  through 
which  he  could  conciliate  their  kindness,  or  command  respect. 

The  answer  to  the  inquiries  which  we  have  suggested,  shows 
the  vast  superiority  of  mind  over  any  and  all  endowments  that  are 
merely  physical.  Even  in  the  savage  state,  under  all  the  disad- 
vantages which  surround  it,  prevent  its  culture,  and  cramp  its 
exercise,  the  i  itellcct  silently  asserts  its  supremacy,  and  the  war- 
rior, while  he  affects  to  despise  it,  unconsciously  yields  to  its  sway. 
The  Eagle  was  a  man  of  vigorous  and  clear  mind,  whose  judicious 
counsels  were  of  more  advantage  to  his  tribe,  than  any  services  he 
could  have  rendered  in  the  field  even  supposing  his  prowess  to 
have  been  equal  to  his  sagacity.  If  nature  denied  him  the  swift 
foot,  and  the  strong  arm  of  the  wai'rior,  it  endowed  him  with  a 
prompt  and  bold  heart,  and  a  cool  judgment  to  direct  the  energies 
of  others.  He  was  not  an  orator,  to  win  the  admiration  of  multi- 
tudes, nor  had  he  those  popular  and  insinuating  talents  and  man- 
ners, which  often  raise  individuals  of  little  solid  worth  to  high 
station  and  extensive  influence.  He  was  a  calm  and  sage  man. 
His  nation  had  confidence  in  his  wisdom ;  he  was  considered  a 
prudent  and  safe  counsellor.  He  gave  his  attention  to  public  busi- 
ness, became  skilled  in  the  affairs  of  his  peojile,  and  acquired  a 
character  for  fidelity,  which  raised  him  to  places  of  trust.  Perhaps 
tlie  braves  and  war-chiefs,  the  hot-blooded,  turbulent,  and  ambitious 
a-spirants  for  place  and  honor,  submitted  the  more  readily  to  the 


WAKECHAI. 


203 


counsels  of  one  who  was  not  a  rival,  and  cheerfully  yielded  him 
precedence  in  a  sphere  in  which  they  were  not  competitors. 

It  is  recorded  of  Tccumthe  and  of  Hod  Jacket,  that  each  of  them 
in  his  first  engagement  with  the  enemy  showed  discreditable  symp- 
toms of  fear;  the  former  became  afterwards  the  most  distinguished 
Indian  leader  of  his  time,  and  both  of  them  enjoyed  deservedly  the 
most  unlimited  influence  over  their  respective  nations.  These  facts 
are  interesting  from  the  evidence  they  afford  of  the  supremacy  of 
the  intellectual  over  the  physical  man,  in  savage  as  well  as  in 
civilized  life. 

The  man  of  peace,  however  valuable  his  services,  seldom  occu- 
pies a  brilliant  page  in  history ;  and  Wakechai,  though  a  diligent 
and  usefid  public  man,  has  left  but  little  trace  of  his  career.  The 
only  striking  incident  which  has  been  preserved  in  relation  to  him, 
is  connected  with  his  last  moments.  He  had  been  lying  ill  some 
days,  and  was  laboring  under  the  delirium  of  a  fever,  when  he 
dreamed,  or  imagined,  that  a  supernatural  revelation  directed  him 
to  throw  himself  mto  the  water,  at  a  spot  where  Rock  river  unites 
with  the  Mississippi,  where  his  good  Manito,  or  guardian  spirit, 
would  meet  him,  and  instantly  restore  him  to  health.  The  savage 
who  knows  no  God,  and 


"Whose  soul  proud  science  never  taught  to  stray, 
Far  as  the  solar  walk,  or  milky  way, 

is  easily  deluded  by  the  most  absurd  superstitions.  Every  human 
spirit  looks  up  to  something  greater  than  itself;  and  when  the  help- 
lessness induced  by  disease  or  misfortune,  brings  aa  humbling  sen.se 
of  self-abasement,  the  sava^x ,  as  well  as  the  saint  and  the  sage,  grasps 
at  that  which  to  each,  though  in  a  far  different  sense,  is  a  religion — the 
belief  in  a  superior  intelligence.  The  blind  credulity  of  the  Indian 
in  this  respect,  is  a  singular  feature  in  his  character,  and  exhibits  a 
remarkable  contrast  between  the  religion  of  the  savage  and  that  of 
the  Christian.     In  his  intercourse  with  men,  whether  friends  or 


204 


BIOGRAPHY. 


enemies,  the  savage  is  suspicious,  cautious,  and  slow  in  giving  his 
confidence ;  while  in  regard  to  the  invisible  world,  he  yields  cre- 
dence to  the  visions  of  his  own  imagination,  and  the  idlest  fables 
of  the  ignorant  or  designing,  not  ordy  without  evidence,  but  against 
the  plain  experience  of  his  own  senses.  In  the  in.stance  before  us, 
a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  common  sense,  a  sagacious  counsellor, 
accustomed  to  the  examination  of  facts,  and  to  reasoning  upon 
questions  of  difllcnlly,  suifered  himself  to  be  deceived  into  the 
beli(!f  that  he  could  j)lunge  with  impunity  into  the  water,  while 
enfeebled  by  disease,  and  that  in  the  bosom  of  that  element  he 
should  meet  and  converse  with  a  supernatural  being,  such  as  he 
had  not  only  never  seen,  but  of  which  he  could  have  lieard  no  dis- 
tinct, rational,  or  cre(lil)le  account.  We  cannot  avoid  the  persuasion, 
that  such  a  fact,  wliile  it  cvim-cs  the  imbecility  of  the  human 
intellect,  in  reference  to  the  contemplation  of  the  hidden  things  of 
another  life,  does  also  strongly  indicate  an  innate  belief  working  in 
the  natural  mind,  and  a  want,  which  nothing  but  a  revelation  can 
rightly  direct,  or  fully  satisfy. 

Wakechai  believed  and  oljcyod  the  vision,  nor  did  any  venture 
to  interpose  an  objection  to  the  performance  of  that  which  seemed 
a  religious  duty.  He  aro.se,  and  with  nmch  difliculty  proceeded  to 
the  margin  of  the  river.  He  paused  for  a  moment  at  that  romantic 
spot,  which  presents  one  of  the  loveliest  land.scapes  ever  offered  to 
the  human  eye.  Perhaps  he  paused  to  contemplate  the  great  river, 
which,  rising  in  far  distant  lakes  on  the  one  hand,  and  rolling  away 
to  the  ocean  on  the  other,  and  washing  far  distant,  and  to  him 
unknown,  lands  in  its  course,  may  have  figured  to  him  his  own 
existence,  the  beginning  and  the  end  of  which  were  equally  beyond 
his  comprehension.  The  fatal  plunge  was  made,  with  imdauntcd 
courage,  and  doubtless  with  unaltered  faith,  and  the  deluded  man 
awoke  to  the  consciousness  that  he  was  deceived.  The  clear  stream 
received  and  enclosed  him  in  its  cold  emijrace,  but  no  mysterious 
form  met  his  eye,  nor  did  any  friendly  voice  impart  the  desired 


WAKECH\I. 


205 


secret.  The  limbs  thiit  should  have  been  renovated,  scarcely  re- 
tained sufficient  strength  to  enable  the  deluded  sufferer  to  rise 
again  into  his  native  element;  he  regained  the  shore  with  difficulty, 
where  he  sunk  exhausted,  and  being  carried  back  to  his  lodge,  died 
in  the  evening  of  the  same  day. 

Wakechai  was  a  popular  and  respected  chief,  and  wa.s  a  great 
favorite  of  the  whites,  who  found  him  uniformly  friendly,  honest, 
and  disj)osed  to  maintain  peace  between  his  own  nation  and  the 
American  peo])le.  He  was  a  person  of  steady  mind,  and  may  Ije 
regarded  as  one  of  the  few  statesmen  of  this  little  repul)lic  who 
watched  and  reflected  over  its  interests,  and  directed  its  affairs, 
while  others  fought  its  battles.  His  death  was  greatly  regretted  by 
his  own  people,  and  by  the  American  residents  of  Rock  Fsland. 

He  was  one  of  tlie  delegation  who  accompanied  General  Clarke 
to  Washington,  in  1824,  when  his  portrait  was  taken. 


SELOCTA. 


One  of  the  most  unhappy  circumstances  attending  the  late  war 
between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  was  its  effect  upon 
the  Indian  tribes  residing  witliin  our  limits.     Tliat  all  of  these 
tribes  have  grievances  to  complain  of,  there  can  be  no  question  ;  it 
would  be  impossible  for  two  distinct  races,  dilfering  so  widely  in 
character  and  in  power,  to  iulmbit  the  same  country  without  frequeut 
collisions,  in  whicli  the  weaker  would  generally  be  the  injure  1  and 
oppressed  party.     We  have  said  elsewhere,  and  we  take  pride  in 
repealing,  that  the  American  nation  and  government  have  acted 
towards  that  unfortunate  race  with  great  magnanimity.     The  inten- 
tions  of  our   people,  and   the  oflicial  action  of  our  government 
towards  them,  has  been  decidedly  benevolent;  but  irritating  causes 
liave  continually  occurred  to  thwart  the  generous  intentions  enter- 
tained towards  them ;  dishonest  agents  have  diverted  the  liberality 
of  the  government  from  its  intended  direction  ;  and  the  selfishness 
or   violence    of  unprincii)led    individuals    have    kindled    hatred, 
jealousy,  and  bloodshed.     Naturally  prone  to  war,  and  habitually 
vindictive,  the  passions  of  the  Indians  are  easily  aroused,  and  those 
wlio  have  tampered  with   them,  for  sinister  purposes,  have  ever 
l)cen  but  too  successful  in  the  accomplishment  of  their  detestable 
ends. 

When  the  war  of  1812  was  about  to  break  out,  tlie  Briti.sh  govern- 

iricnt  availed  itself  of  the  precarious  relations  existing  between  the 

American  government  and  the  Indian  tribes  within  its  bouniiaries; 

and  the  agents  of  lliat  jiower  traversed  the  whole  frontier  upon  the 

^^  (207) 


209 


BIOCiRAPIIY. 


fatal  errand  of  discord.  Tlic  fainoiis  Tooiiintlic  was  tlio  missionary 
sont  to  oxcitc  tlic  Sontliorn  Iribi-s,  hy  innaniniiitory  liarang'iios  and 
lavisli  pniiiiiscs  of  assislaiice.  IJrilics  wvvc  sfultorcil  among  tlicir 
mlhuMitiiil  men,  and  tlieir  prophets  wore  seduced  to  ntter  predic- 
lioiis  such  as  were  hut  too  well  calculated  to  misU'ad  an  ignorant 
and  indammatory  people.  Inferior  as  the  Indians  were  in  numbers, 
and  in  all  the  elements  of  physical  power — surrounded  by  the 
while  jiopidation — and  dejiendent  as  they  were  upon  us  for  their 
very  existence — we  can  iiardly  conceive  a  more  cruel  project,  than 
that  which  would  lead  lliem  into  a  hopeless  and  ruinous  contest  with 
the  only  power  which  could  !it  pleasure  protect  or  destroy  them. 

The  Creek  Indians,  the  most  powerful  of  the  Soulliern  tribes, 
were,  on  this  occasion,  dividetl  into  two  parties,  one  of  whicli 
adhered  1o  the  riiilcd  States,  and  proposed  to  take  no  part  in  the 
expected  war,  while  the  other  madly  engaged  in  the  conspiracy 
against  tlieir  own  best  intm-ests.  'J'lie  latter  were  called  Rcd.sfich, 
because,  in  preparing  for  hostilities,  each  individual  armed  himself 
with  a  war-club  which  was  painted  red. 

Tiie  fu'st  demonslralion  of  tiiis  spirit  betrayed  itself  in  a  series 
of  murders  and  other  outrages  which  were  committed  upon  the 
white  settlements,  attended  1)}'  tlie  mo.st  atrocious  circumstances  of 
savage  cruelty.  The  massacre  at  Fort  Mimms  was  the  earliest  act 
of  open  war.  This  was  a  frontier  post,  in  the  Mississippi  territory, 
containing  about  one  Inmdred  and  fifty  men,  under  the  command 
of  Major  Beasle}',  liesides  a  number  of  women  and  children,  who 
had  lied  to  it  for  protection.  Weatherford,  a  di.stinguislied  chief  of 
the  hostile  Creeks,  having  procured  a  supply  of  anununition  from 
the  Spaniards  at  Pensacola,  and  assembled  a  force  of  six  or  seven 
hundred  warriors,  surj)rised  this  i)lace  on  the  30th  of  Augu.st,  1812, 
and  slaughtered  nearlv  three  Inmdred  persons,  including  women 
and  children,  in  cold  blood,  and  with  every  aggravation  of  delibe- 
raie  crnelty.  None  were  spared  ;  tlic  mother  and  child  fell  under 
the  same  blow;  seventeen  individuals  only  escaped. 


SKI.  OCT  A. 


i»()!J 


The  news  of  this  unprovoked  outnige  carried  terror  and  indigna- 
lion  tlu'oiigliout  the  sontii-weslern  iVoulii'r,  and  in  all  tlie  neiylihor- 
iiig  states  the  peo[)le  llew  to  iirnis.  In  Tennessee,  large  Lodihs  of 
gallant  men  volunteered  llieir  services,  and  Andrew  Jackson,  a 
citizen  already  distingnislied  for  liis  abilities  and  patriotism  in  civil 
life,  was  placed  at  their  head.  It  is  not  our  ])urpose  to  follow  this 
distinguished  leader  tlu'ough  the  perils,  diHicullies,  and  euibarrass- 
ments  of  this  war,  to  its  brilliant  victories  and  successful  result. 

Among  the  Creek  warriors  who  adhered  to  the  United  States  in 
this  war,  and  rendered  efficient  services  in  the  field,  were  Chinnaby, 
a  j)rin<'ipal  chief  of  that  people,  and  his  son  Selocta,  the  subject  of 
this  notice.  The  former  occupied  a  fort  on  the  Coosa  river — a  rude 
primitive  fortress  of  logs,  surrounded  by  a  stockade,  sucli  as  are 
conunonly  resorted  to  in  our  Ijorder  wars.  Upon  General  Jackson's 
first  advance  into  the  savage  territory,  he  was  met  by  Selocta,  wlio 
sought  his  camp  to  fight  under  his  banner,  and  to  solicit  aid  for  liis 
father,  wliosc  decided  measures  had  alread}-  excited  the  vengeance 
of  the  war  faction,  by  whose  forces  his  fort  was  surrounded  and 
threatened.  From  this  time  until  the  close  of  the  Indian  war, 
Selocta  continued  with  our  army,  an  intelligent  and  sagacious 
guide  during  its  marches,  and  a  lirave  warrior  and  leader  in  battle. 

It  was  during  this  war,  that  the  striking  scene  occurred  between 
General  Jackson  and  Weatherford,  the  leader  in  the  atrocious 
butchery  at  Fort  Mimnis.  After  a  series  of  active  hostilities,  and 
several  general  engagements  in  which  the  Indians  had  been  beaten, 
and  their  forces  cut  up  and  dispersed,  a  number  of  the  chiefs  of 
the  hcstilc  party  sought  the  presence  of  General  Jackson,  and 
otfered  submission  upon  his  own  terms.  The  victor  treated  them 
with  clemency,  admonishing  tlieni  to  a  pacific  course  of  conduct 
for  the  future,  but  demanded  as  a  preliminary  to  any  amicable 
intercourse,  tliat  Weatherford  should  be  delivered  up  to  him.  A 
few  days  afterwards,  an  Indian  presented  liimself  at  the  camp,  and 
desired  to  be  conducted  to  the  General,  to  whom  he  announced 


210 


UHXiilAIMIY. 


himself  lis  Wciitlicrfdnl.  Tlic  Amcricim  •oinniniulcr  expressed  liis 
astoiii^liiiK'iit  lliat  mil!  wliosc  IiuikLs  wen;  stained  u  ilh  an  iiiluiiiiaii 
iinii'der  of  eaplives,  slmuld  daro  to  appear  in  his  presence,  know  iny, 
as  li(!  must,  lliat  liis  arrest  had  been  ordered  for  tlie  purpose  of 
biin^^iiiLi  liiiii  to  ptiiiislinient.  Tiie  undaunted  chieftain  replied,  "1 
am  Ml  \(iiii-  power;  do  with  me  as  yon  please.  I  am  a  warrior.  [ 
have  done  the  while  people  all  the  liariu  I  could;  1  have  fonylil 
them,  and  fought  tliein  iiri.velv;  if  I  had  any  warriors  left,  I  would 
still  liyht,  and  I'oiileiid  to  tiie  last.  But  1  have  none;  my  peoi)le 
arc  uU  gone;  and  now  I  can  only  mourn  over  the  misfortunes  of 
inv  nation."  Struck  willi  tlu^  magnanimity  so  nearly  akin  to  his  ow  n 
high  spirit,  the  General  e.\j)lained  to  Ids  visitor  the  terms  upon 
whicli  his  j)eo])le  might  have  peace,  adding,  thai  lie  should  take  no 
advantage  of  his  voluntary  .surrender,  that  he  was  now  at  liberty  to 
remain  and  be  ])ro1ec1ed,  or  retire,  and  reunite  himself  with  the 
war  J)arty;  liut  lliat,  if  taken.  Ins  life  sliovdd  pay  the  forfeit  of  his 
crimes. 

The  undisma3-ed  savngo,  maint.aining  the  self-posse.ssion  which 
distinguishes  his  race,  replied:  "I  may  well  be  addressed  in  such 
language  now.  There  \mis  a  time  when  I  i.ould  have  answered 
you ;  I  then  had  a  choice,  l)ut  now  I  have  none — even  hope  has 
ended.  Once  I  could  lead  my  warriors  to  battle ;  but  I  cannot 
call  the  dead  to  life.  j\Iy  warriors  can  no  longer  lieiir  my  voice; 
their  bones  are  at  TaUadega,  Talluschatchee,  F/muckfaw,  and  Toho- 
peka.  I  have  not  surrendered  myself  without  reflection.  While 
there  was  a  chance  of  success,  I  never  left  my  ])ost,  nor  asked  for 
peace.  But  my  peo])le  :ire  gone,  mid  I  now  a.sk  for  peace  for  my 
nation  and  for  in\'self  I  look  back  with  sorrow  upon  the  miseries 
and  misfortunes  brought  upon  my  country,  and  wish  to  avert  still 
greater  calamities.  Our  best  warriors  arc  slain,  our  cattle  and 
grain  arc  destroyed,  and  our  women  and  (diildren  are  destitute  of 
])rovisions.  If  I  had  been  left  to  contend  with  the  Georgia  army, 
I  would  have  raised  my  corn  on  o'lo  l.);iid;  of  the  river,  and  fought 


SRLOCTA. 


Oil 


tliciii  (HI  tlic  iillicr  ;  liiit  your  pcuplc  liuvc  ilcslrttycil  iii^-  ii:ili(iii.  You 
aro  a  liiMvi!  iiiuii;  1  iv^ly  on  your  gciusrosity.  ^'(hi  will  cMict,  lu) 
terms  from  a  coiunicrcd  iicople  Ijiit  siicli  its  tlic)  (sliduld  iicccpl ; 
wliatcvcr  tlicy  iiiay  lie,  il  would  lie  iiuidiicss  in  us  lo  oppose  tlieiu. 
If  ;niy  oppose  tliem,  you  will  find  mo  sicrii  in  ciiforcinLr  ohcdieiico. 
'I'lioNC  who  would  still  hold  out,  c;i  i  lie  iiiduciicrd  oul\  hv  a  spirit 
of  rcvi'iin'c,  and  to  this  ihcy  must  not,  iuid  shall  luit,  sacrilii'i'  the 
last  remnant  of  their  nation.  You  liavct  told  us  where  we  must  <''o, 
and  he  sat'e.  'i'his  is  a  yood  talk,  and  they  onylit  to  listen  to  it. 
They  shall  listen  to  it." 

At  the  eoni'lusion  of  tlie  war,  a  council  was  lield  hy  Cieiieral 
Jackson,  at  wliicli  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  hoth  factions  of  tlio 
Crocks  attended,  and  the  suhject  of  the  removal  of  that  ])eop]e  to 
the  lands  assiifued  them  west  of  the  Mississippi,  was  di.scu.ssed.  A 
majority  were  opposed  to  the  .scliemc,  and  several  of  the  cliiefs 
dononncod  it  in  l)old  and  clcKpicul  languajre.  The  speech  of  the 
liiir  A\'arrior  on  that  occasion,  has  lieen  (pioted  as  a  line  specimen 
of  savaj^e  elocution.  Major  Malon,  in  liis  Life  of  General  Jackson, 
from  which  wo  liave  ^athererl  the  jinM'cdinii'  facts,  after  descri hi iijj; 
the  speeches  of  some  of  the  chiefs,  adds,  "l)Ut  tlie  inflexibility  of 
the  person  with  whom  they  were  1reatin<r,  evinced  to  them,  that 
however  just  and  well  founded  might  be  their  objections,  the  policy 
lunler  which  he  acted  was  too  clearly  defined,  for  any  abandomuent 
of  it  to  1)0  at  all  calculated  upon.  Selocta,  one  of  their  chiefs,  who 
had  nnited  with  our  troops  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  who 
had  marched  and  fought  witli  them  in  all  their  battles,  and  had 
attached  to  himself  strongly  the  confidence  of  the  commanding 
general,  now  addr(~ssed  him.  lie  told  him  of  the  regard  jic'  had 
ever  felt  for  his  white  brothers,  and  with  what  zeal  ho  had  everted 
himself  to  preserve  peace,  and  kei^p  in  friendship  with  them  ;  when 
his  elforts  had  faiU'd,  he  had  taken  up  arms  against  his  own  countr}', 
and  fought  against  his  own  people ;  that  he  was  not  opposed  to 
vieklinLr  the  huids  Iving  on  the  Alabama,  wliicli  would  answer  the 


212 


SELOCTA. 


purpose  of  cutting  off  any  intercourse  witli  the  Spaniards,  but  the 
country  west  of  the  Coosa  he  wished  to  preserve  to  the  niition. 
To  effect  tliis  he  appealed  to  the  feelings  of  Jackson ;  told  him  of 
the  dangers  they  had  passed  together,  and  of  his  faithfulness  to 
him  in  the  trying  scenes  through  which  they  had  gone." 

"  There  were,  indeed,  none  whose  voice  ought  sooner  to  have 
been  heard  than  Selocta's.  None  had  rendered  greater  services, 
and  none  had  been  more  faithful.  He  had  claims  growing  out  of 
his  fidelity  that  few  others  had." 

The  sequel  of  this  interview  has  become  matter  of  history,  and 
is  too  well  known  to  need  repetition.  The  Creeks  assentc  1  to  the 
terms  proposed  by  the  American  government,  and,  abandoning  the 
graves  of  their  fathers,  sought  a  new  home. 


MAKATAIMESIIEKIAKIAII,  oil  ELACK  HAWK. 


Few  Indians  have  obtained  a  celebrity  so  widely  extended  as  that 
of  the  individual  now  before  iis.    Without  being  a  chief,  or  a  person 
of  remarkable  abilities,  he  became  known  to  the  American  public 
as  the  principal  person  engnged  in  the  brief  and  hopeless  war,  waged 
l)y  a  fraction  of  the  Sauk  tribe  against  the  United  States.     Ilavhiff 
been  taken  prisoner  at  the  close  of  that  contest,  he  was  conducted 
with  a  few  companions  to  Washington,  and  some  other  of  our  cities, 
where  his  fame  and  his  misfortunes  excited  so  much  curiosity,  that 
lie  was  every  where  visited  by  crowds,  while  his  propriety  of  de- 
portment  was  such  as  to  sustain  the  reputation  that  had  preceded 
liim.     He  was  the  greatest  lion  of  the  day;   and  the  public  will 
probably  be  disappointed  at  the  discovery  that,  although  a  res])ect- 
al)le  person,  he  was  by  no  means  a  hero.     I'he  events" of  liis  early 
life  we  extract  from  a  small  volume  published  at  Cincinnati  in  1833, 
and  said  to  have  been  dictated  by  himself,  and  which  we  know  to 
1)0  acknowledged  by  him  as  authentic.     The  Black  Sjiarrow,  or,  as 
he  is  now  called.  Black  Hawk,  whose  unpronounceable  Indian  name 
we  shall  not  attem])t  to  repeat,  was  born  at  the  principal  village  of 
his  tribe  on  Itock  river,  in  Illinois,  about  tlio  ycjir  17(i7,  and  was  the 
great  gramlson  of  a  chief  called  Nanainakee,  or  Thunder.     At  the 
early  age  of  fifteen,  having  had  the  good  fortune  to  wound  an  enemy 
of  his  nation,  he  was  admitted  to  the  rank  of  a  brave,  and  allowed  to 
I.aint  him.self  and  wear  feathers.     The  chief  of  a  neighborinrr  tribe 
coming  to  the  Saukie  town  shortly  after,  to  rai.se  recruits  for  an 
expedition  against  their  common  enemy,  the  Osages,  he  was  per- 

(21.-?) 


814 


BIOGllAPIIY. 


mitted,  in  company  with  liis  father,  to  join  tlie  war  party.  A  battle 
was  fought  in  which  tiie  Sauks  ami  tlicir  alUcs  were  successful,  and 
Black  Ilawk  signalized  his  valor  by  killing  and  scalping  a  warrior. 
On  the  return  of  the  party  he  was  permitted,  for  the  first  time,  to 
join  in  the  scalp  dance.  Having  now  established  a  reputation  as  a 
brave,  he  was  enabled,  a  few  months  afterwards,  to  raise  a  party  of 
seven  young  men,  who  went  forth  with  hirn  in  search  of  adventure, 
and,  falling  in  with  a  camp  of  a  hundred  Osages,  he  boldly  attacked 
lliem,  killed  one  of  their  warriors,  and  retreated  without  lo.'<ing  a 
mrin.  'J'his  exploit  gained  him  so  much  reputation,  that  wheii  he 
next  offered  to  lead  a  war  p;.r1y,  a  liundrcd  and  sixty  braves  placed 
tiu-nisel  ves  under  his  command.  After  a  long  march,  they  approached 
an  (")s;ige  village  with  great  caution,  in  the  expectation  of  surprising 
it,  but  ibund  it  deserted;  and  the  dissatisfied  warriors,  with  the 
exception  of  five,  abandoned  their  leader  and  returned  home.  The 
little  remnant  of  the  war  party  continued  to  pursue  their  enemies, 
determined  not  to  return  without  a  trophy;  and,  after  some  days, 
succeeded  in  killing  a  man  and  a  boy,  with  whose  scalps  they 
marched  back  in  triumph. 

The  defection  of  his  braves  on  this  occasion  injured  tlie  standing 
of  Black  Ilawk  with  his  nation,  who  supposed  him  deficient  in  good 
fortune,  or  in  conduct,  and  he  was  uualile  for  some  time  afterwards 
to  obtain  a  command.  At  lengtli,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  raising  a  party  of  two  hundred  warriors,  whom  he  led 
against  the  Osages,  and,  meeting  with  an  ec|ual  nunil)er  of  the  enemy, 
a  desperate  battle  ensued,  in  whicli  the  Saidcs  were  victoriou;-,  and 
slew  a  hundred  of  their  enemies,  with  a  loss  on  their  side  of  but 
nineteen.  Black  Ilauk  says  lie  killed  five  braves  and  a  squaw,  and 
took  four  scalps. 

After  this  decisive  battle,  relive  hostilities  with  the  Osages  ceased, 
and  'le  Sauks  turneil  their  a:nis  against  the,  Cherokces.  Black 
Hawk  accompanied  a  small  party  comniaiided  by  his  father,  wlio 
met  the  Cherokecs  near  the  Merriniac  river,  the  latter  having  the 


BLACK  HAWK. 


215 


advantage  in  numbers.  The  Cherokccs  are  said  to  have  lost  twenty- 
eight  men,  and  the  Sauks  but  seven.  The  father  of  Black  Ilawk 
being  among  the  .slain,  he  assumed  the  command,  toolv  ])Osscssion 
of  the  (jrmt  medicine  hay  of  the  deceased,  and  led  the  parly  home. 
This  expedition  was  considered  so  unfortunate,  that  our  hero  blacked 
his  face,  lasted,  and  for  five  years  abstained  from  war,  praying  fre- 
quently to  the  Great  Spirit,  and  engaging  in  no  manly  exercises  but 
those  of  hunting  and  fishing. 

After  this  period,  the  Great  Spirit  having  taken  pily  on  him,  or 
in  other  word.s,  liis  people  believing  that  he  had  suflicienlly  atoned 
for  his  bad  hick,  he  led  out  a  small  party  against  the  Osages,  but 
could  find  only  six  men,  whom  he  captured  and  delivered  up  to  the 
Spanish  commandant  at  St.  Louis.  In  his  next  expedition  ho  was 
more  fortunate.  At  the  head  of  a  large  party,  he  surprised  an 
encam])ment  of  forty  lodges  of  the  O.sages,  all  of  whom,  without 
distinction  of  age  or  sex,  were  put  to  death,  except  two  squaws, 
who  were  taken  captive.  He  declared  that  in  this  battle  he  killed 
seven  men  and  two  boys  with  his  own  hand. 

lie  then  led  an  expedition  again.st  the  Chcrokees,  to  revenge  his 
father's  death;  but  finding  onlv  five  of  their  people,  he  states,  that 
having  captured  these,  he  afterwards  relea.sed  four,  and  carried  the 
other  one  home,  being  unwilling  to  kill  .so  small  a  party.  This  as- 
sumption of  mercy  on  an  occasion  when  revenge  was  his  sole  object, 
succeeding  so  closely  the  narrative  of  an  indiscriminate  massacre, 
in  which  he  killed  two  boys,  is  not  easily  recouciled.  We  give  the 
story  as  we  find  it,  leaving  the  reader  to  draw  his  own  conclusions. 
The  details  of  several  other  battles,  in  which  Black  Hawk  describes 
himself  as  having  borne  a  conspicuous  ])art,  we  pass  over. 

The  treaty  made  by  Governor  Harrison  with  the  Sauks  and  Foxes 
in  ISO'J,  by  which  they  ceded  their  lands  east  of  tlic  Mississippi,  is 
alluded  to  in  this  volume,  as  having  been  executed  by  a  iaw  chiefs, 
without  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  the  nation.  As  we  have  not  tiip 
means  of  deciding  this  question,  we  shall  not  enter  upon  it 
2S 


216 


BIOGRAPHY. 


The  erection  of  Fort  Madison,  upon  llic  Mississippi,  is  mentioned, 
tlic  dissiitisfactinn  of  the  Iiulians  at  this  cncmacliment  of '.lie  Ameri- 
cans, and  an  niisiiccessful  attomjjt  which  was  made  by  tiie  Suuks 
and  Foxes  to  sur])risc  and  cut  olf  the  garrison.  'J'he  visit  of  the 
enterprising  traveller,  Pike,  at  Rock  Island,  is  noticed,  and  we  are 
told  that  when  this  ofPcer  presented  them  with  an  American  flag, 
they  received  and  hoisted  it,  but  when  he  required  them  to  pull 
down  the  IJritish  flag,  they  declined,  as  tliey  "  wished  to  have  two 
fathers." 

At  this  time  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  were  in  the  practice  of  trading 
with  the  British  posts  on  the  northern  lakes,  and  Great  Britain 
having  adopted  the  policy  of  retarding  the  expansion  of  our  settle- 
ments, much  exertion  was  u.sed  by  the  oflicers  of  that  power  to 
conciliate  the  Indians,  and  to  gain  an  influence  over  them.  The 
state  of  affairs  on  the  Mostern  frontiers  of  the  United  States  was 
very  unsettled.  The  emigration  to  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  had 
jnished  the  settlements  into  contact  with  numerous  and  warlike 
trilx's  of  Indians,  and  although  the  latter  had  sold  the  lands  that 
were  now  becoming  occupied  by  the  whites,  they  .saw  with  jealou.sy 
the  rapid  increase  of  a  ])opulafion  so  essentially  diflerent  from  their 
own.  Occasions  were  sought  to  rescind  or  deny  the  treaties  bj'  wliich 
territory  had  been  ceded,  and  the  American  government,  to  avoid 
even  the  appearance  of  injustice,  in  various  instances  purchased  the 
same  tract  of  country  over  and  over  from  the  same  tril)e,  and  ex- 
tinguished sncce.'^siveiy  the  conflicting  titles  of  different  titles;  while, 
on  the  other  hand,  intrusions  were  of"ten  inconsiderately  committed 
on  the  hunting-grounds  of  the  Indians. 

For  several  years  previous  to  1811,  the  prospect  of  a  war  between 
the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  produced  an  irritalile  state  of 
feeling  on  the  frontier,  and  opened  a  wide  licld  for  the  machinations 
of  those  persons  who  thought  their  own  interests  promoted  by  ex- 
citing the  Indians  to  liostilities.  The  British  officers  and  traders, 
therefore,  co-operated  in  their  exertions  to  attach  the  Indians  to  their 


BLACK   HAWK. 


country,  and  toalicnalc  llicm  fromlho  American  people  and  govern- 
ment. Colonel  INIcKce,  Colonei  Dixon,  and  Simon  Girty  were  the 
most  active  agents  in  lliis  unwise  and  nnchristian  warfare,  and  were 
bnsily  en)i)loyed,  for  several  years,  in  holding  talks  with  tlie  Indian^ 
residing  witliin  the  United  States,  snpj)lying  them  with  arms, 
making  them  liberal  presents,  and  inciting  them  to  make  war  upon 
the  American  settlements.  Several  inter\  lews  were  held  with  these 
officers  bv  Black  Hawk,  and  on  one  of  these  occasions  we  find  him, 
for  the  first  time,  dignified  with  a  title.  His  own  relation  is  a.s 
follows:  "In  the  encampment,  I  found  a  large  number  of  I'otawati- 
mies,  Kickapoos,  Ottawas,  and  AVinnebagoes.  I  visited  all  their 
camps  and  found  llu-iii  in  high  spirits.  Th(>y  had  all  received  new 
guns,  ammunilion,  and  a  variety  of  clothing.  In  the  evening  a 
messenger  cnme  to  me  to  visit  Colonel  Dixon.  I  went  to  his  t(>nt, 
in  which  were  two  other  war  chiefs  and  an  interpreter.  He  received 
me  with  a  hearty  shake  of  the  hand,  and  presented  me  to  the  other 
cliiefs,  who  shook  my  hand  cordially,  and  seemed  much  pleased  to 
see  me.  After  I  was  seated,  Colonel  Dixon  said:  'General  Black 
Hawk,  I  sent  for  you  to  explain  to  you  what  we  are  going  to  do, 
and  the  reasons  that  have  brought  us  here.  Our  friend,  La  Gutrie, 
informs  us  in  the  letter  yon  brought  from  him,  what  has  lately 
taken  place.  You  will  now  hold  us  fast  by  the  hand.  Your 
English  Father  has  foiuid  out  that  the  Americans  want  to  take  your 
country  from  you,  and  has  sent  me  and  his  braves  to  drive  them 
back  to  their  country.  He  has  likewise  sent  a  large  quantity  of 
arms  and  lunmunition,  and  we  want  all  your  warriors  to  join  us.' 

"About  the  same  time  a  deputation  from  tlio  Sauk  and  Fox 
nation  visited  Washington,  and  on  their  return,  reported  that  Presi- 
dent Madison  had  said  to  them,  lliat,  in  the  event  of  a  war  willi 
Great  Britain,  he  wished  them  not  to  interfere  on  either  side,  but 
to  remain  neutral.  H(!  did  not  want  their  help,  but  wi.shed  them  to 
hiuit,  and  support  their  families,  and  live  in  peace." 

There  seems  to  have  been  at  this  time  a  difference  of  opinion 


21S 


HIOCHAl'IIY 


amoiif?  these  Indians,  as  to  wliicli  side  they  should  take  in  the  ap- 
proachinjx  war.  Individual  chiefs  may  have  had  their  predilections 
towards  one  side  or  the  other;  bnt  most  probably  they  hesitated 
onlv  to  ascertain  which  party  would  offer  them  the  most  advan- 
tageous terms.  AVhen  the  war  actually  broke  out,  a  large  party 
went  to  St.  Louis,  and  ofTercd  the  services  of  the  tribe  to  the  Ame- 
rican covcrnment.  The  offer  was  promptly  declined,  because  our 
government  had  resolved  that  lliey  would  not  employ  the  savages. 
A  small  party  claimed  ])rotection,  and,  separating  from  the  nation, 
were  sent  to  a  new  home  provided  for  ihcm  on  the  Missouri,  where 
they  still  live;  but  the  great  body  of  the  S;udvs  and  Foxes  joined 
the  British  standard,  and  fought  witli  their  troops  during  the  war. 

An  anecdote  which  Black  Hawk  relates  a.s  having  occurred  about 
this  time,  has  probably  many  parallels  in  frontier  history.  A  friend 
of  his,  who  was  old  and  crippled,  had  an  only  son,  who  had  been 
adopted  by  Black  Hawk,  though  he  continued  to  live  with  his 
father.  lie  had  called  to  see  his  old  friend  on  his  way  to  join  the 
British.  Their  next  tneetiuf  was  on  his  return,  and  is  thus  de- 
scribed: "We  were  in  the  vicinity  of  our  village,  when  I  discovered 
a  smoke  ascending  from  a  hollow  in  the  bluffs.  I  directed  my  party 
to  proceed  to  the  village,  as  I  wished  to  go  alone  to  the  ])lace  from 
whence  the  smoke  proceeded,  to  sec  who  was  there.  I  approached 
the  spot,  and  when  I  came  in  view  of  the  tire,  saw  a  mat  stretched, 
an  old  man  sitting  under  it  in  sorrow.  At  any  other  time  I  would 
have  turned  a\vay  without  disturbing  him,  knowing  that  he  had 
come  there  to  be  alone,  to  humlilc  himself  before  the  Great  Spirit, 
that  he  might  take  pity  on  him.  I  approached,  and  seated  myself 
beside  him.  lie  gave  one  look  at  me,  and  then  iixcd  his  eyes  on 
the  ground.  It  was  my  old  friend.  I  anxiously  inquired  for  his 
son,  my  adopted  child,  and  what  liail  befallen  our  people.  My  old 
comrade  seemed  scarcely  alive;  he  must  have  fasted  along  time. 
I  liiihted  my  pipe  and  put  it  in  his  nioutli.  He  eagerly  drew  a  few 
puffs,  cast  up  his  eyes,  which  met  mine,  and  recognized  me.     His 


BLACK  HAWK. 


219 


wyes  were  glassy;  he  would  ngain  have  fallon  off  into  forget  fulness, 
had  I  not  given  him  some  water,  which  revived  him."  Tlio 
wretched  man  who  was  thus  mourning  in  solitude,  told  the  cause 
of  his  sorrow.  Ili.s  l)oy  l:ad  gone  out  alone  to  hunt.  Night  came, 
and  he  did  not  return.  T'le  ;i!armed  ])arcnts  passed  a  sleeples.s 
night.  In  the  morning,  the  mother  applied  to  tlie  other  lodges  for 
assistance,  and  all  went  in  pursuit  of  the  ahsent  boy.  There  being 
snow  on  the  ground,  they  soon  came  upon  his  track,  and  after 
following  it  some  time,  found  also  the  trail  of  a  deer  which  he  had 
been  pursuing.  The}'  cruno  to  the  place  where  he  had  stood  and 
fired,  and  found  a  deer  which  had  been  skinned  hanging  u])on  a 
branch  of  a  tree.  But  here  they  found  also  the  tracks  oi  ivliilc  men. 
They  had  takeu  the  boy  prisoner.  Thi-ir  tracks  led  acro.ss  the  river, 
and  then  down  towards  a  fort ;  and  after  following  the  footsteps 
for  some  distance,  the  boy  was  found  dead.  His  body  was  shot  and 
stabbed,  and  his  head  scalped  !  Tiie  mother  died  soon  after,  and 
tiie  old  Indian,  left  alone  in  the  world,  and,  perhaps,  destitute  of  the 
means  of  subsistence,  hied  him  to  a  solitary'  place  to  die.  This 
recital  exhausted  his  strength,  and  Black  Hawk  had  onlv  time  to 
promise  to  avenge  the  murder  of  his  son,  when  tlie  eyes  of  the  old 
man  closed  in  death.  Such  arc  the  atrocities  of  border  warfare — 
when  national  animosity  becomes  embittered  by  private  injiu'ies; 
the  invasion  of  dwellings,  and  the  destruction  of  private  jjroperty 
jilant  the  feeling  of  revenge  deep  in  the  heart,  and  one  deed  of 
violence  is  retaliated  by  another,  until  mercy  and  generosity  are 
wholly  forgotten. 

Shortly  after  this  occurrence.  Black  Hawk,  with  a  party  of 
eighteen  warriors,  descended  the  Mississippi  in  canoes,  and  landed 
near  Cap  au  Gris,  in  Illinois.  They  struck  into  the  country,  until 
they  came  to  one  of  those  rude  fortrc.;.-rs  of  loirs,  which  the  settlers 
of  the  frontier  erect  for  their  protection,  near  which  they  concealed 
themselves.  Presently  two  white  men,  riding  upon  one  horse 
approached,  when  the  Indians  tired  and  killed  the  horse  and  one 


220 


uioGUAPiiy. 


of  the  riders,  while  the  other  oscnpcd  into  tlic  fort.  The  Indiiins 
rctrciitod,  but  were  iinmediately  pursued  by  a  [)arty  of  mounted 
men,  who  surrounded  tlieiu,  ;uid  forced  them  into  one  of  tliose 
funnel-shaped  cavities,  which  in  this  country  are  called  sink-holes. 
Taking  advantage  of  this  position,  the  Indians  threw  themselves 
on  the  ground,  and,  being  covered  as  1)3-  a  breastwork,  fired  from 
the  brink  of  the  liole.  The  backwoodsmen  were  not  to  be  thns 
foiled.  A  part  of  them  retired,  and  soon  returned  with  an  ox-cart, 
the  body  of  which  was  tilted  so  as  to  be  nearly  perpendicular,  and 
pushing  this  moveable  ramjiart  forward  to  the  edge  of  tlie  cavity, 
they  fired  from  behind  it.  Such  was  the  ingenuity  displayed 
nuitually,  that  but  one  man  was  killed  on  each  side  at  this  spot ; 
when,  night  coming  on,  the  Americans  retired  to  their  fort,  and  the 
Indians  retreated.  The  incident  thus  related  1)}^  Black  Hawk  in 
his  autobiograj)hy,  is  substantially  confirmed  by  a  narrative  repeated 
to  us  some  years  ago  by  one  of  tlie  wliite  men  wlio  was  concerned 
in  the  afTair,  and  wlio  is  now  an  aflluent  citi/en  of  Illinois. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  war  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States,  the  Saux  and  Foxes  made  peace  with  the  American 
government,  and  the  latter  soon  after  established  a  fort  on  Rock 
Island.  The  planting  of  a  military  post  so  near  their  principal 
village,  was  little  relished  Ijy  this  warlike  community,  nor  did  they 
willingly  give  up  a  beautiful  island,  which  abounded  in  wild  fruits, 
and  was  nuich  frequented  by  tliem  in  the  summer.  They  believed 
that  a  good  spirit  had  the  care  of  it,  who  lived  in  a  cave  in  the 
rocks,  immediately  under  the  place  where  the  fort  was  built.  He 
is  said  to  have  been  often  seen  by  tlie  Indians;  and  was  white, 
with  wings  resembling  those  of  a  swan,  but  ten  times  larger. 
They  were  careful  to  make  no  noise  in  that  pan  of  the  island 
which  he  inhabited,  for  fear  of  disturbing  him.  He  has  never  been 
seen  since  the  building  of  Fort  Armstrong,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  driven  away  by  the  din  of  the  drums  and  cannon,  or  by  the 
boisterous  mirth  of  a  licentious  soldiery. 


BLACK   HAWK. 


221 


A  permanent  peace  was  now  established  between  these  Indians 
and  the  Americans,  -wliich  has  not  since  been  intcrrupti-d  by  any 
general  war.  Hut  many  causes  of  dissatislaction  occurred.  I'lie 
facilities  aflbrded  to  an  intercourse  with  the  whiles  enabled  the 
Indians  to  procure  ardent  spirits  more  frequently  than  in  former 
times,  and  a  train  of  evil  consequences  ensued.  The  treaty,  by 
which  the  lands  they  still  inhabited  were  ceded,  was  a  subject  of 
bitter  reflection;  and,  as  the  settlements  of  the  whites  cxjjanded 
from  year  to  year,  they  saw  that  the  time  was  rapidly  aj)j)roaching 
when  they  must  abandon  their  j)leasantly  situated  village,  and 
the  delightful  plains  of  Illinois.  Collisions  occurred  between  their 
hunters  and  the  peoj)le  of  the  frontier.  The  latter  were  in  the  habit 
of  suiferiiig  their  cattle  and  hogs  to  roam  at  large  in  the  woods  and 
over  the  prairies,  and  when  any  of  these  animals  were  lost,  the 
Indians  were  suspected — in  most  instant.'es,  we  think,  nnjustly — of 
having  stolen  them.  On  one  occasioii,  when  Black  Hawk  was 
hunting  near  the  settlements,  a  party  of  white  men  seized  him, 
charged  him  with  having  killed  theii-  hogs,  and  beat  him  severely 
with  sticks.  At  another  time,  an  Indiiui  having  discovered  a  hive 
of  wild  bees,  cut  down  the  tree  for  the  piu'pose  of  taking  the  honey, 
and  although  trees  were  then  considered  of  no  value,  but  Mere 
consitantly  hewed  down  by  any  wlio  pleased,  this  unfortunate 
Indian  was  pursued,  and  rribbed  of  all  the  furs  he  had  taken  dur- 
ing a  winter's  hunting,  luu'.er  the  pretence  of  compen.sation  for  the 
injury  he  was  alleged  to  lu.ve  connnitted. 

It  is  believed  that  Keokuk  regarded  these  deeds  of  violence  in 
the  proper  light,  as  the  unauthorized  acts  of  lawless  individuals, 
who  received  no  countenaacc  from  the  American  governn;pnt  or 
people.  This  chief  was  non'  at  the  head  of  his  nation,  and,  althc  ugh 
a  distinguished  warrior,  his  policy  was  pacilic,  and  his  professions 
of  friendship  towards  the  Americans  sincere.  Black  Hawk,  w'.io 
viewed  him  with  dislike  and  jealousy,  was  at  the  head  of  a  f?.-.'tion 
called  the  "Britisli  Band,"  who  continued  to  make  annual  '  isits  to 


222 


BIOGRAPHY. 


the  British  post  at  Maiden,  where  tliey  made  tlieir  purchases,  and 
received  presents,  while  the  majority  of  the  tribe  conformed  to  the 
regulations  in  rei^ard  to  tlicm  made  by  the  American  goverimient, 
and  traded  at  St.  Louis.  'I'liis  slate  of  things  continued  for  about 
twenty  years  after  tlie  war,  with  but  little  alteration. 

In  the  mean  while,  the  territory  of  Illinois  had  been  formed 
into  a  state,  and  the  settlements  which  had  commenced  in  the 
soutiiern  part  of  this  deligiitful  country,  were  rapidly  extending  to 
the  north.  The  Sauks  and  Foxes  still  occupied  the  most  desirable 
part  of  the  state,  and  around  their  village  in  every  direction  was  an 
immense  districl  of  wilderness,  over  which  they  hunted.  In  the 
extreme  north-western  part  of  the  state,  at  Fever  river,  a  rich  mineral 
region  was  discovered,  and  began  to  be  occupied,  and  the  flourishing 
town  of  Galena  sprung  into  existence. 

We  shall  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  war  in  which  Black 
Hawk  acted  a  conspicuous  part.  By  a  treaty  made  in  1804,  at  St. 
Louis,  between  Governor  Harrison,  on  tlie  |)artof  the  United  States, 
and  certain  chiefs  of  the  united  Sauk  and  Musquakee  nation,  the 
latter  ceded  all  their  lands  in  Illinois  to  the  United  States,  under  a 
reservation,  however,  contained  in  the  following  words :  "As  long 
as  the  lands  wliich  are  now  ceded  to  tlie  United  States  remain  their 
property,  the  Indians  belonging  to  the  said  tribes  shall  enjoy  the 
privilege  of  living  and  hunting  upon  them."  This  treaty  was 
disclaimed  hy  the  Sauk  and  Fox  nation,  as  having  been  made  hy 
persons  who  were  not  authorized  to  treat  on  that  subject;  but  it 
was  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  treaty  of  Portage  des  Sioux  in 
1815,  and  by  another  treaty  made  in  1810. 

The  provision  which  allowed  the  Indians  to  occupy  the  ceded 
territory,  occasioned  no  inconvenience  so  long  as  the  settlements  in 
Illinois  were  confined  to  the  southern  part  of  that  state;  nor  would 
any  have  occurred,  had  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  been 
content  to  observe  the  simple  and  salutary  regulations  of  their  own 
laws.   The  statutory  provisions  for  the  protection  of  the  Indians  are 


BLACK   HAWK. 


223 


numerous  and  ample.  White  men  arc  strictly  prohibited  from 
purohasiiii^r  or  occupying  the  lands  of  the  Indians,  and  from 
entcrinir  the  Indian  country,  for  any  pnr[)Osc  whatever,  without  a 
license;  and  the  latter  are  only  granted  to  a  limited  nund)er  of 
traders.  The  lands  of  the  Indians  are,  therefore,  in  the  eye  of  tiie 
law,  sacred  from  intrusion,  and  the  two  races  are  so  separated  as  to 
prevent  any  contact  or  collision,  wliich  might  be  likely  to  disturb 
llie  harmony  of  eitlicr  ])arty.  Not  less  guarded  are  the  laws  by 
which  the  lands  of  the  government,  previous  to  their  conversion  into 
private  property,  are  protected  from  intrusion.  "When  a  jjortion  of 
die  Indian  territory  is  purchased,  it  becomes  part  of  what  is  termed 
tlio  public  domain  of  the  United  States,  and  individuals  are  strictly 
])rohibitcd  from  inhabiling,  or  in  any  manner  occi.|)ying,  or  tres- 
passing upon  such  lauds,  until  tliey  are  regularly  olfered  for  sale. 
The  jjractice  of  the  government  has  been  to  remove  the  Indians 
from  the  public  lands  previous  to  any  measures  being  taken  to  bring 
them  into  market.  A  portion  of  the  territory  is  then  surveyed, 
divided  into  tracts  of  a  convenient  size,  by  lines  corresponding  with 
the  cardinal  points  of  the  compass,  and  the  lands  are  then  olfered 
for  sale.  By  these  cautions  enactments,  the  Indians  are  not  oidy 
|)rotected  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  own  lands,  but,  after  having 
ceded  them,  the  progressive  steps  by  which  the  new  population  are 
admitted,  oppose  barriers,  which,  if  not  broken  down  by  lawless 
violence,  would  effectually  prevent  the  one  race  from  crowding 
oppressively  upon  the  other. 

Unhappily,  however,  these  humane  and  wise  provisions  have 
l)een  but  little  regarded ;  and  the  greater  number  of  our  Indian 
wars  "have  been  incited  by  the  impatience  of  our  own  people  to 
possess  the  hunting-grounds  of  the  receding  savage.  The  pioneers, 
or  first  settlers  of  our  country,  are  a  hardy,  erratic,  adventurous 
race,  uniting  the  habits  of  the  hunter  and  the  farmer,  and  among 
tlu'in  tlie  desirw  for  new  lands  is  a  passicm  as  strong  as  it  is  univer- 
sal. They  delight  in  the  wilderness.  A  fertile  vuiinhabited  tract 
29 


8S4 


UIUGRAI'IIY. 


combines  the  requisites  wliirli  they  deem  necessary  to  liappincss; 
!i  virgin  soil,  fresh  jukI  liixuriiiiit,  wliicli  yields  an  uhuiidiiiil  harvest 
without  lalxirious  culture — a  wide  raiii^o  of  natural  pasture  over 
which  their  cattle  may  roam  at  large — and  a  country  stocked  wntli 
game.  Allured  by  such  advantages,  thousands  of  individuals  are 
constantly  in  the  practice  of  breaking  through  the  wholesome  re- 
straints to  whieli  we  have  alluded,  and  intruding,  not  oidv  on  tlie 
public  domain,  but  the  lands  of  the  Indians.  Having  found  a 
eiioico  spot,  the  j)ioneer  erects  his  cabin,  as  fearless  of  the  law  as  he 
is  reckless  of  danger  from  the  savage  or  the  wild  brute,  and  takes 
(piiet  possession,  in  the  confidence  that  when  the  district  shall  be 
brouglit  into  market,  an  indulgent  government  will  grant  the  right 
of  ])rc-emj)tion  to  those  who  shall  have  settled  within  it  in  contra- 
vention of  its  laws,  or,  that  those  who  shall  lawfully  enter  the 
country  at  a  future  day  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  purchasers, 
will  be  generous  enough  to  refrain  from  buying  a  tract  already 
occupied,  and  on  which  the  tenant  lias  expended  his  labor.  How- 
ever unreasonaljle  such  calculations  may  secin,  they  have  seldom 
proved  fallacious. 

In  the  winter  of  IS'27,  when  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  were  absent 
from  their  town  on  Koek  river,  engaged  in  hunting,  some  evil 
disjjosed  persons,  who  were  probably  impatient  to  hasten  their 
departure  ^m  the  ceded  territoiy,  svl  fire  to  the  vacant  lodges,  of 
which  al  t.iit  forty  were  consumed.  The  Indians  made  no  attempt 
to  resent  this  outrage,  but  on  their  return  quietly  rebuilt  t^.eir  deso- 
lated village.  In  the  following  year,  six  or  seven  fami'ie.s  of  whites 
moved  out  and  settled  upon  a  choice  tract  of  land  adi  Miiing  the 
village.  At  that  time,  nearly  the  entire  northern  lialf  of  Illinois  was 
a  wilderness,  with  a  few  scattered  settlements  thinly  dispersed,  at 
distant  j)oir,ts,  none  of  which  were  within  fifty  miles  of  Rock 
Island.  There  was,  therefore,  no  reason  founded  upon  necessity  or 
inconvenience,  nor  any  limitation  of  choice  which  confined  the 
selection  to  that  particular  spot;  millions  of  acres,  untrodden  by 


BLACK   HAWK. 


'i22r, 


the  fiiot  of  civili/ed  ?ii;ni,  ;uiil  l)Io{miiii<f  in  all  llir  liiMinani-c  of 
iiiiliin',  alfonlcd  aiiiplc  sco|)t^  to  the  iiio^t  laMidioiis  clioicc.  ]\\\\, 
besides  the  violation  of  law  and  the  infraction  of  a  sok'nin  treaty, 
this  intrnsion  was  fraught  w  ith  the  most  niinous  eonserinences  to 
the  Saidvs  and  Foxes.  'I'he  Indians,  ]\ee|iinjf  no  doinestie  animals 
but  (lo^s  and  iiorses,  make  no  fenees  round  their  eorn-fields,  or 
at  best,  tlirow  about  tlicm  slii,dit  enclosures  of  brusliwood.  'I"he 
intruih'rs  l)roui,dit  with  tliem  hirge  herds  of  cattle,  wliicli  were 
turned  out  to  <.rra/.e  upon  the  open  phiin,  and  l)y  whicli  tlj(^  pati  lies 
of  eorn  planted  by  the  squaws  were  entirely  destroyed.  They  even 
went  so  far  as  to  extend  their  fences  over  the  grouud  in  tlie  actual 
use  of  the  Indians,  on  which  corn  was  growing,  an<l  to  jjlough  uj) 
the  latter  in  mere  wantonness — for  there  could  be  uo  reason,  nor 
any  apology  for  such  an  act,  when  the  surroumling  and  contiguous 
country  was  all  unoccupied,  except  that  the  corn  grounds  of  the 
Indians,  being  already  under  tillage,  were  prepared  for  the  use  of 
the  farmer,  without  subjecting  him  to  the  ialxir  of  breaking  the 
natural  sod,  as  in  the  new  lands.  Wlien  some  of  the  squaws,  not 
aware  of  being  guilty  of  any  offence,  clambered  over  the  fences, 
thus  unlawfully  erected,  they  were  beaten  witli  sticks!  All  these 
wrongs  and  indignities  were  perpetrated  by  a  handful  of  whites,  in 
the  midst  of  a  warlike  Indian  nation;  but  so  determined  were  the 
red  men  to  kei-p  at  peace,  and  such  the  awe  inspired  ])y  llie  over- 
whelming superiority  of  the  American  peojile,  that  they  submitted 
without  attemplintr  any  act  of  retaliation. 

In  I'^^O,  the  writer,  then  occupying  a  civil  office  in  Illinois,  in 
company  with  a  friend,  who  had  recently  iilled  a  high  post  in  the 
same  state,  visited  Rock  Island.  The  unliappy  collision  between 
the  intruding  whites  and  llie  Indians  had  then  reached  the  most 
painful  state  of  excitement,  and  we  gathered  from  the  Indian  agent, 
the  oflK-ers  at  Fort  Armstronnr,  and  the  Indians,  the  particulars  of 
this  disastrous  contest.  Black  Hawk,  on  hearing  of  the  arrival  of 
two   strangers,  who  were,  as   he   supposed,  chiefs   in   their  ovrix 


226 


BIOGRAPHY. 


country,  came  to  relate  to  them  tlio  wrongs  of  his  people.  He 
.spoke  of  the  indignity  perpetrated  upon  himself  when,  upon  su.s- 
picion  of  an  act  that  he  would  have  .scorned,  ho  was  hcatcn  like  a 
criminal,  and,  pointing  to  a  black  mark  upon  his  face,  said  that  he 
bore  it  as  a  symbol  of  disgrace.  The  customs  of  his  nation,  and 
their  notions  of  honor,  required  that  he  should  avenge  the  wrong 
he  had  received  by  shedding  the  blood  of  the  aggressor;  but  he 
cliose  rather  to  submit  for  a  season  than  involve  his  people  in  a 
war  which  must  be  fatal  to  them.  And  this  was  tlie  only  alterna- 
tive; for  such  is  the  readiness  with  which  offence  is  taken  against 
the  Indian,  that  if  one  of  this  race  should  kill,  or  even  strike  a 
'.vhite  man,  the  act  would  be  eagerly  seized  upon  and  exaggerated, 
the  whole  frontier  poi)ulation  would  rush  to  war,  and  the  red  men 
would  be  hunted  from  tlieir  homes  like  wild  beasts.  lie  spoke 
of  the  iivtrusion  upon  their  fields,  the  dcstr\iction  of  their  growing 
corn,  the  plor.gliing  up  of  the  graves  of  their  fathers,  and  the  beat- 
ing of  theii  women,  and  added,  "We  dare  not  resent  any  of  these 
things.  If  we  did,  a  great  clamor  would  be  raised;  it  would  be 
said  that  the  Indians  were  di-turbing  the  white  people,  and  troops 
would  be  .sent  to  destroy  us."  We  inquired,  "  Why  do  you  not 
represent  these  things  to  our  government? — the  president  is  a  wise 
anl  good  ruler;  he  would  protect  you."  The  reply  was,  "Our 
Great  Father  is  too  far  off;  he  cannot  hear  our  voice."  "  lint  you 
could  have  letters  written  and  sent  to  him."  "  So  we  could,"  .said 
the  old  man,  "l)ul  the  wliite  rnen  would  write  letters,  and  say  that 
we  told  lies.  Our  Great  Father  would  not  Ijelieve  an  Indian  in 
preference  to  his  own  children."  This  interview  is  alluded  to  in  the 
biography  already  mentioned  ;  and  Black  Hawk  says  of  his  visitors, 
"Neither  of  them  could  do  any  thing  for  us;  but  they  both  evi- 
dently appeared  very  sorry.  It  would  give  me  great  pleasure,  at 
all  times,  to  take  these  two  chiefs  by  the  hand." 

Under  the.se  circumstances,  the  government  required  the  removal 
of  this  nation  from  the  ceded  tract  to  their  lands  west  of  the  Missis- 


BLACK  HAWK. 


007 


sippi,  and  ordered  the  necessary  surveys  preparatory  to  llie  opening 
of  a  new  land  district;  and,  altlion<j;li  hy  tlie  treaty  of  I'^O-I,  tlie 
Indians  had  a  rii^lit  to  oeciijiy  tliis  cc  'n-y  until  it  should  be 
actually  sold  to  individual  purchasers,  it  was,  perlia])s,  best  for 
them  that  this  rij|lit  should  not  be  insisted  upon.  The  settlements 
were  approaching  so  rajjidly  that  their  tenancy  could  be  but  brief. 
At  the  end  of  two  or  three  years,  at  most,  they  would  be  forced  to 
retire  The  government  having  determined  to  sell  the  lands,  the 
only  (piestion  was,  whether  the}  would  insist  on  remaining  during 
the  peiiod  while  the  preparations  for  the  sale  should  be  going 
forward,  or  retire  vohnitarily  before  the  pressure  of  the  expected 
emigration  should  elicit  new  causes  of  dissatisfaction.  Keokuk, 
sustained  by  the  majority  of  the  nation,  took  the  more  prudent  view 
of  the  subject,  and  i)repared  to  remove;  while  Black  Hawk,  with 
th°-  British  band,  determined  to  remain.  It  is  due,  however,  to 
these  unfortunate  people,  to  state,  that  while  they  decided  to  insist 
on  a  right  guarantied  to  them  by  a  solemn  treaty,  they  neither 
threatened  violence  nor  ))repared  for  war.  They  simjily  resolved 
to  remain  on  the  land  duriiig  the  whole  term  res'.'rved  to  them,  or 
until  ejected  by  force. 

In  the  spring  of  1831,  after  the  Indians  had  for  a  long  wliile 
passively  endured  a  series  of  insults  and  injuries  from  the  intruding 
whites,  settled  in  their  vicinity,  and  while  the  most  profound  peace 
existed  on  the  frontier,  a  war  v\as  suddenly  kindled  by  the  same 
parties,  who  had  thus  far  been  the  aggressors.  The  fences  c  f  the 
white  people  had,  it  seems,  been  thrown  across  a  path  which  the 
Indian  women  had  been  accustomed  to  use,  and  the  latter,  finding 
their  way  obstructed,  threw  down  the  enclosure.  This  trivial 
offence  was  eag-^'ly  seized  upon  by  those  who  had  long  sought  to 
bring  about  a  war.  Letters  were  despatched  to  the  interior,  in 
which  it  was  alleged  that  the  Indian;  were  hostile,  that  measures 
had  been  taken  to  luiite  the  Winnebagoes  and  Potawatimies  with 
them  in  a  league  against  the  whites,  that  aggres.sions  had  already 


22B 


BIOGRAPHY. 


been  comiviilted  upon  the  properly  of  llie  settlers,  and  that  the 
latter,  Aviiolly  iinprolccted,  and  in  tlie  power  of  merciless  savages, 
were  on  the  eve  of  abandoning  their  homes;  and  an  express  was 
despatched  to  the  Governor  of  Illinoi^^,  formally  communicating 
intelligence  of  a  similar  character.  Upon  this^^'cprcsentation,  a 
body  of  militia  was  ordered  out  by  the  governor,  and  marched 
immediately  to  Kock  river.  Fortunately  for  the  peace  of  the 
frontier,  General  Gaines,  the  commander  of  the  western  division 
of  tlie  arnjy  of  the  United  States,  was  then  at  St.  Loui.^,  and 
hastened  to  the  scene  of  action,  wliere  his  presence  and  conciliatory 
conduct  soothed  for  a  time  the  elements  of  discord.  A  C')uncil  was 
held  iu  which  these  matters  were  discussed  during  several  days; 
and  it  was  finally  agreed  tliat  the  Sauks  and  I\Ius{iuakees  should 
retire  to  their  own  lands  on  the  western  shore  of  the  Mississip])!. 

While  this  council  was  in  session,  General  Gaines,  observing 
that  Black  Hawk  was  seated  among  the  chiefs  and  leading  men 
wlio  represented  the  Indian  nation,  and  having  heard  his  name 
often  repealed  as  the  most  active  of  tho.se  who  opposed  the  whites, 
inquired  one  day,  "Who  is  Black  Hawk?  Is  he  a  cliief?  Bv  what 
right  does  he  appear  in  council  ?"  No  reply  was  made.  Black 
Hawk  arose,  gathered  his  blanket  around  him,  and  stalked  out  of 
the  council  room.  On  the  following  morning,  he  was  again  in  his 
seat.  With  the  cauUon  wliich  marks  llie  Indian  character,  he  had 
refrained  from  making  a  rejtly  while  under  the  influence  of  passion, 
but  had  taken  time  to  pre])nre  himself  When  the  council  was 
opened,  he  arose  and  said,  "  My  father,  3xm  inquired  yesterdav  '  \\  ho 
is  Black  Hawk  ? — why  does  lie  sit  among  the  chief  men  V  I  will  tell 
you  Avho  I  am.  I  am  a  Sauk,  my  father  was  a  Sauk — I  am  a 
warrior,  so  was  my  father.  Ask  those  young  men  who  have 
followed  me  to  battle,  and  they  will  tell  you  who  Black  TTawk  is! 
Pro\'oke  our  jieople  1o  war,  and  you  will  learn  who  Black  Hawk 
is!"  He  then  resumed  his  seat,  and  nothing  more  was  said  upon 
the  subiect. 


BLACK  HAWK. 


229 


The  nation  removcJ,  agret'ubly  to  this  treaty,  to  the  western  side 
of  the  river;  hut  the  state  of  Ilhnois  coiitiimcd  to  l)e  agitated  by 
ramors  indicating  a  hostile  disj)osition  on  tlie  ])art  oflliese  Indians. 
Individuals  among  them  were  said  to  have  visited  tlio  ncighboiing 
triljes  to  incite  them  to  war — a  pro])liet  was  employed  in  dreaming 
and  working  spells — Black  Hawk  visited  the  Ikitish  post  at 
Maiden,  for  the  supposed  purpose  of  procuring  arms  and  ammu- 
nition— and  the  band  attached  to  this  leader  were  known  to  be 
discoi'tonted.  It  was  confidently  asserted,  that  a  general  league 
a;^iong  ^r"  north-western  tribes  threatened  the  frontier  with  the 
cc  '  '■  t  the  tomahawk  and  firebrand.  However  true  these 
reports  may  have  been  in  regard  to  the  faction  whose  movements 
caused  thorn,  it  is  known  that  Keokuk  and  the  majority  of  the  na- 
tion weie  sincere  in  their  pacific  professions;  and,  although  Black 
Hawk  was  now  mischievously  disposed,  it  is  not  probable  that, 
failing  in  his  intrigues  to  implicate  other  tril)es  in  the  quarrel, 
he  would  have  ventured  ui)on  any  hostile  demonstration  with  the 
small  band  under  his  own  inlluenco. 

In  the  ensuing  spring,  while  the  public  mind  was  thus  excited, 
Black  Hawk  adopted  the  injudicious  step  of  returning  to  Illinois, 
alleging  that  his  b'uid  had  been  invited  by  the  Polawalimies, 
residing  on  Hock  river,  1o  spend  the  summer  wiih  them,  and  plant 
corn  on  their  lar  1;;.  Tlicy  crossed  ihe  Mississippi  in  open  day, 
attended  by  tin.  c  '  ,»■  ii  and  chikh'en,  and  carrying  with  them 
their  lodges  a;.'  ■.■  :l';-,g  equipage;  ihus  demonslrating  that, 
whatever  might  have  '  Tr'  their  idterior  views,  their  inunediale 
jmrpose  was  not  hostile — for  the  Indian  always  strikes  his  foe 
suddenly  and  by  stealth,  leaving  behind  him  ever}'  encundirance 
which  might  hinder  a  rapid  i  neat.  A  band  of  men  trained  to 
w;  ■,  ar.d  well  versed  in  its  various  incidents,  could  not  be  fairly 
su.-|. .  ed  of  the  folly  of  making  a  hostile  inroad  upon  tlu  territorv 
of  a  powerful  people,  inider  circumstances  which  must  alike  have 
renderixl  defci,;  .ortain,  and  llight  impracticable.    But  reason  sleeps 


230 


BIOGRAPHY. 


when  fear  and  jealousy  are  awake.  Tlie  dreadful  experience  of 
the  horrors  of  Indian  warfare,  too  familiar  to  our  frontier  popula- 
tion, lias  rendered  them  so  keenly  sensitive  to  its  dangers,  that  the 
slightest  rumor  of  such  an  incursion  excites  a  universal  alarm. 

On  liearing  the  intelligence  of  the  invasion,  as  it  was  termed,  of 
Black  Hawk,  the  Governor  of  Illinois  called  out  a  large  body  of 
militia,  and,  placing  himself  at  their  head,  marched  to  liock  Island. 
A  singular  state  of  things  was  w  r  >"  cntcd.  Not  a  blow  was 
struck.     I'he  Indians,  after  resting  days  in   their  village, 

pursued  their  march  towards  the  coui.icy  of  the  Potawatimies, 
without  concealment  or  violence.  Notwithstanding  their  merciless 
rule  of  warfare,  which  spares  no  foe  who  may  fall  into  their  hands, 
however  helpless,  tliey  passed  the  isolated  cabins  in  the  wilderness, 
without  offering  tlie  slightest  outrage  to  the  defenceless  inhabitants, 
'['he  property  of  the  settlers,  ininiders  upon  the  lands  of  these  very 
Indians,  remained  untouched.  Travellers  between  St.  Louis  and 
Ctalena  proceeded  singlv,  or  in  small  parties,  through  a  ^\•ild 
region,  now  the  reputed  seat  of  war,  without  molestation,  wliile  an 
army  was  on  its  march  to  the  frontier,  ;uid  the  newspapers  were 
filled  with  reports  of  an  Indian  war  in  all  its  "  pomp  and  circum- 
stance." Matters  did  not  remain  long  in  this  condition.  A  bat- 
tuHon  of  mounted  militia,  which  hat!  been  sent  in  advance  of  the 
army,  falling  in  with  five  or  six  Indians,  who  were  approaching 
them  with  pacific  signals,  unhappily  captured  and  put  to  death  all 
except  one,  wlio  made  his  escape,  bearing  the  news  of  tlie  slaughter 
of  his  conu"ades  to  the  Indian  camp,  which  was  near.  Black  Hawk, 
who  alleges  that  he  was  euffaured  in  entertaining  some  visitors  with 
a  dog  feast,  immediately  planned  an  ambuscade,  into  which  the 
militia  were  enticed.  On  receiving  the  fire  of  the  Indians,  they 
became  panic-struck,  and  fled  in  great  disorder,  with  the  loss  of 
about  fourteen  men. 

Tlie  Indians,  finding  tiiat  tlie  war  was  commenced  in  earnest, 
now  determined  to  do  all  the  mischief  in  their  power.     Dividing 


BLACK   HAWK. 


231 


tlieir  little  force  into  numerous  p;u1ics,  they  struck  into  tlio  settle- 

nieuts,  wliicli,  at  that  time,  were  thinly  scattered  over  an  immense 

region  of  frontier,  hurninjj  the  huts  of  the  selthrs,  and  slaughter- 

iiig  such  as  fell  in  their  way.     In  tlie  course  of  a  few  wccli.s,  tliey 

committed  much  bloodshed  and  destruction.     The  whole  state  of 

Illinois  became  greatly  excited.     Two  thousand  additional  militia 

were  ordered  out,  and  the  citizens  of  every  jjrofession  or  calling 

were  eager  to  participate  in  the  campaign.    Il  uould  be  imj)ossilj]e 

for  those  who  have  never  witnessed  such  scenes,  to  realize  the  state 

of  public  feeling  which  ])ervaded  the  country  at  that  period.     Tlie 

greater  portion  of  the  ])opulation  of  Illinois  were  emigrants  iVom 

the  older  western  states,  and  had  either  e.vperienced  the  horrors  of 

Indian  warfare,  or  were  the  immediate  descendants  of  those  who 

had  seen  and  felt  the  atrocities  of  savage  barbarity.    They  had  liccn 

accustomed  from  infuicy  to  hear  of  the  midnight  conllagration  and 

the  slaughter  of  women  and  children,  and  to  regard  the  Indian  with 

fear  and  hatred.     They  thought  of  the  red  man  only  as  one  vihose 

hand  was  ever  ready  to  slu^l  innocent  Ijlood  ;  and  there  were  few 

who  could  not  tell  of  some  friend  or  relative  whoso  hearth-stone 

had  been  desolated  by  the  tomahawk.     Although  man}'  years  had 

rolled  on  in  peace,  and  a  new  generation  had  grown  up,  the  feuds 

of  the  border  were  not  forgotten.     With  such  feelings,  tlie  whole 

population  rose  at  the  first  alarm,  and  so  pojndar  was  the  war,  that 

it  was  hardly  creditabhi  tor  any  able-bodied  man  to  remain  at  home. 

I'armers,  lawyers,  ])liysicians,    mercliants,  civil   officers   of  every 

grade  and  department,  were  among  the  volunteers;  and  especially 

were  all  gentlemen  who  had  any  asj)iration  for  jiolitical  preferment, 

eager  to  signalize;  thiinselves  in  this  field. 

The  ])lan  of  our  work  would  not  authorize  a  detailed  account  of 

this  war.     It  is  enoutjh  to  say,  that  the  little  band  of  Black  Ilawk 

were   soon   com|)('lleil    to   lly   bi'lbre   the   inimenso   force   arrayed 

against  them,  directing  tlieir  course  north  and  west  over  the  unin 

habited  waste  lying  Ijolwceu  the  head  waters  of  Rock  river  and  the 
30 


232 


BIOGllAPIIV. 


Mississippi.  Tlic  army  pursued  willi  ardor,  but  under  many  dis- 
advantages. Alllunigh  the  country  was  level  and  open,  the  Indians 
being  tlic  smaller  party,  were  enabled  to  elude  tlieir  pursuers, 
while  the  armv,  too  numerous  for  the  service  allotted  Uiem,  and 
encumbered  wiUi  wagons,  moved  with  heavy  steps.  After  several 
weeks'  laborious  marching,  and  some  skirmishes  in  which  gallantry 
was  displayed  on  both  sides,  the  Indians  were  overtaken  on  the 
shore  of  the  ]Mi.ssissi[)pi,  near  the  mouth  of  a  stream  called  Bad 
A.x;e,  and  nearly  the  whole  |)arly  shiin  or  captured.  Black  Hawk 
was  among  the  few  who  escaped  ;  but  he  A\as  delivered,  a  few  days 
after,  to  General  Street,  the  Indian  agent  at  I'rairie  du  Chien,  by 
two  Winnebagoes.  Thus  ended  a  war  instigatLd  by  a  i'cw  indi- 
viduals to  forward  their  own  sinister  views,  but  which  cost  the 
government  more  than  two  njillions  of  dollars,  besides  needles.sly 
sacrificing  many  valuabi"  lives.  ]5u1  while  we  condemn  the  begin- 
ning of  this  coiit(-st,  we  would  award  credit  to  those  who  aftcrwanls 
became  engaged  in  it.  However  nnjustly  a  war  may  be  brought 
about,  it  becomes  the  cause  of  our  Cv)untry  whenever  hostilities 
have  connnenced,  and  lionor  should  be  awarded  !o  the  citizen  who 
draws  his  sword  to  repel  an  armed  fie  from  our  borders. 

In  the  s])ring  of  i^'Vi,  several  of  the  captive  leaders  of  the 
hostile  band  were  conducul  to  Wa.shington.  Among  the.se  was 
the  Proj)het,  who  was  su])[)osed  to  have  been  the  chief  plotter, 
Noopope,  who  was  the  active  military  leader.  Black  llawk  and 
his  son,  a  fine  looking  young  man,  who  was  facetiously  called  by 
some  of  the  editors  of  the  day.  Tommy  Ilawk.  On  their  arrival 
at  the  Federal  city,  they  were  admitted  to  an  audience  with  the 
President,  to  whom  Bhu.-k  Hawk,  on  being  presented,  said,  "I  am 
a  man,  you  are  another."  Being  informed  by  President  Jackson 
that  it  was  intended  to  hold  them  captive  until  the  treaty  made 
with  General  Gaines  should  be  complied  witli,  the  Prophet  made 
a  speech,  in  which  b(>  remonstrated  against  this  decision,  and 
Black  Hawk,  after  giving  a  history  <.f  the  causes  of  the  war,  con- 


HLACK    HAWK. 


233 


chidod  u  Ioii<T  nddress  liv  sayinti;',  "A\i'  did  iiol  t'.vi)cc1  1o  conqiicr 
tlio  whites.  \o,  llicy  liiivc  too  many  liousi's,  too  many  men.  I 
took  np  tlio  tomalunvk,  for  ni\'  ])art,  to  rcvcni^e  ininrifs  wliicU  my 
ppoj)lc  could  no  longer  oiidun'.  Had  I  hnrne  tliem  longer  without 
striking,  my  peoph;  would  have  said,  lllaek  Hawk  is  a  woman,  he 
is  too  old  to  he  a  chief,  he  is  no  Sauk.  'I'liese  rellcdions  caused 
in(!  to  raise  the  war  wlioop.  I  say  no  more  on  that  suhject;  it  is 
all  known  to  you.  Keokuk  \\as  once  here;  you  look  liim  hy  the 
hand,  and  when  he  desired  to  return  liome,  you  were  willing.  AVc 
liope  yon  will  treat  us  in  the  same  way,  and  let  us  go." 

The  ])risoners  were  conducted  to  Fortress  Monroe,  in  Virginia, 
where  tlnn'  were  kindly  treated,  and  received  e\erv  mark  of  con- 
sideration and  attention.  On  their  liheration,  after  a  detention  of 
ahont  a  niontli,  Black  Ilawk  made  a  si)eech  to  General  Eustis,  the 
commanding  ollicer,  of  \\liich  the  following  is  said  to  have  been  the, 
■iuhstance : 

"Brother,  I  have  come  on  my  own  part,  and  in  behalf  of  my 
companions,  to  bid  3'ou  farewell.  Our  (ireat  Father  lias  at  length 
been  pleased  to  permit  ns  to  return  to  our  hunting-grounds.  "VVe 
have  buried  the  tomahawk,  and  the  sound  of  the  ritle  will  here- 
after bring  death  only  to  the  deer  and  the  bull'alo.  Brother,  \'0n 
have  treated  the  red  men  very  kindly,  ^'our  stjuaws  have  given 
them  ])resents,  and  yon  have  pro\  ided  them  \\  ith  ])len1y  to  eat  and 
drink.  "^I'lie  memory  of  your  friendship  will  remain  nntil  the 
Great  Spirit  says  that  it  is  time  for  Black  Hawk  to  sing  his  death 
song.  Brother,  your  houses  are  as  numerous  as  the  leaves  upon 
the  trees,  and  your  young  warriors  like  the  sands  npon  the  shore  of 
the  big  lake  which  lies  before  ns.  The  red  men  have  lew  honses 
and  few  warriors,  but  they  have  hearts  as  warm  as  those  of  their 
white  brethren.  The  Great  S])irit  has  given  ns  oiir  hunting- 
grounds,  and  tlie  skin  of  the  deer  which  we  kill  there  is  his  favor- 
ite, for  it  is  white.  'J'liis  dress  and  these  feathers  are  white:  accept 
them,  my  brother.     This  present  will  remind  you  of  Black  Hawk 


234 


BIOGRAPHY. 


when  lie  is  far  awny.  May  the  Great  Spirit  preserve  you  an.J  youi 
fliildrcn.     Farewell." 

Previous  to  their  return  to  tlioir  own  country,  the  captive 
warriors  were  conducted  to  the  jirincipal  cities  of  the  Atlantic 
states,  and  received  every  where  tlie  most  marked  attention  and 
liospitidity.  Tliey  were  invited  to  the  tlieatres,  museums,  and 
otlier  jdaces  of  jjuhlic  resort;  and  ^n'eat  pains  were  taken  to  show 
them  the  various  objects  which  were  considered  worthy  of  their 
attention,  or  likely  to  excite  their  curiosity.  At  New  York  tliey 
witnessed  tlie  ascension  of  a  balloon,  which  was  about  to  rise  into 
the  air  as  the  steamboat  which  carried  tliein  to  liiat  city  reached  the 
wharf  On  beholding  the  immense  crowd  which  was  asscnd)le<l, 
and  hearing  the  clieers  of  the  multitude,  tliey  were  at  first  alarmed, 
supposing  those  cries  to  lie  the  war-whoop  of  enemies;  but  when 
the  real  cau.se  of  the  tumult  was  pointed  out,  they  expressed  the 
highest  admiration.  When  the  silken  globe  ascended  gracefully 
into  the  air,  and  the  aeronaut  wrfvcd  his  flag,  Black  Hawk  e\- 
claimed,  "That  man  is  a  great  brave,  but  I  do  not  think  he  will 
ever  get  back."  When  the  lialloon  had  attained  so  great  a  lieight 
as  to  be  scarcely  visible,  he  said,  "  I  think  he  can  go  to  the  heavens, 
to  the  Great  Spirit;"  and  another  of  the  jwi'ty  ^dded,  "I  should 
think  lie  could  see  the  Great  Siiirit  now." 

After  a  tour  of  about  two  months,  during  which  they  visited 
Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Albai.y,  Boston,  and  other 
towns  of  less  note,  they  returned,  by  way  of  the  northern  lakes, 
to  Fort  Armstrong.  iNLajor  Garland,  of  the  army,  under  whose 
cliarge  they  had  travelled,  being  instructed  to  secure  for  them  a 
kind  reception  from  tlieir  nation,  previous  to  their  enlargement, 
sent  a  messenger  to  advise  Keoknk  of  tlieir  arrival.  Tiiat  chief 
was  encamped  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the  river,  about  twenty 
miles  below ;  and  although  tliese  persons  were  his  enemies,  ami 
had  especially  contemned  his  autliority  in  liringing  about  the  recent 
disastrous  war,  he  determined,  with   the  dignity   which  usually 


BLACK  HAWK. 


235 


marks  his  conduct,  to  give  tliciii  a  respectful  and  cnnlial  reception. 
A  message  was  sent  immediately  to  aiiui>nuce  liis  intmtioii;  and 
at  noon,  the  following  da}',  the  dull,  nioiiotondus  sound  of  the 
Indian  drum  proclaimed  the  approach  of  tlie  chief  lie  led  the 
cavalcade,  with  two  large  canoes  lashed  togetlier,  and  sliadiul  by  a 
canopy,  under  which,  with  his  tlinc  wives,  Ik^  sat  in  state.  Ahout 
twenty  canoes  followed,  each  containing  six  or  eight  l)raves,  who 
siuig  their  wild  songs  as  they  ])\m\  tlie  paddle.  They  asceiKk'd 
the  river  slowly  until  they  came  abreast  of  tlie  fort,  and  then 
landed  on  the  riglit  l)ank,  where  tliey  remained  about  two  hours, 
engaged  in  painting  themselves,  and  arranging  their  dresses. 
They  tlien  crossed  the  river,  and,  on  landing,  Keokuk  said  to  liis 
followers,  "The  fireat  Sj)irit  has  sent  our  brothers  back;  let  us 
shake  hands  in  friendsliip."  On  reaching  the  spot  where  Dlack 
Hawk  and  his  comiianions  were  encamped,  they  found  these  nn- 
fortunate  braves  seated  in  front  of  their  tent,  silent  and  motionless, 
as  if  absorbed  in  sorrowful  relied  ion — tloubtful,  perhajis,  of  the 
reception  that  awaited  them.  Keokuk  e.xtcMided  his  hand  to  Black 
Hawk,  and  then  to  the  rest  of  the  newly  returned  party,  without 
speaking;  his  followers  imitated  his  example;  the  .salutation  was 
reciprocated  with  apparent  cordiality,  and  then  the  wlioh?  comj)any 
seated  themselves  on  the  ground.  No  one  sjioke,  each  waiting 
until  the  chief  should  l)reak  the  silence.  After  an  interval  of 
fifteen  minutes,  Keokuk  asked  ]31ack  Hawk  how  long  he  had  been 
on  the  road,  adding  that  he  had  been  expecting  him,  and  was  on 
the  way  to  meet  him  when  lie  heard  of  his  arrival.  I'ipes  were 
then  introduced,  and  a  general  conversation  ensued;  afti^r  which 
the  parties  separated.  Black  Hawk  and  his  jiarty  remaining  in  their 
camp  at  Fort  Armstrong,  while  Keokuk  with  his  li;ind  returned 
to  the  western  shore  of  the  river,  where  they  spent  the  night  in 
singing  and  dancing. 

A  council  was  held  the  next  day,  in  a  large  room  in  the  fort 
Keokuk   came,  attended  by  a  hundred   braves,  decked   in  their 


336 


BKXJRAPIIY. 


savage  finery,  and  singing  their  wild  songs,  iinlil  ihoy  reached  the 
fort,  whicli  they  entered  in  silenee.  Keokuk  seated  hinisell"  with 
Pashepidiaw  on  one  side,  and  Wapellu  on  the  other.  The  hraves 
Silt  behind,  and  maintained  a  profound  silenee  during  tlie  wliole 
interview.  Biaek  Hawk  with  liis  [larty  entered  afterwards,  and 
Mere  seated  opposite,  facing  the  rest  of  the  tribe.  'I'iie  ehiefs  rose 
and  sliook  iiands  with  iheni.  IMack  Hawk  and  his  son  appeared 
dejeeted;  tliey  had  unwillingly  consented  to  attend  this  eouneil, 
whieh  to  them  could  be  no  oilier  than  a  scene  of  pidilie  humilialion. 
He  had  parted  from  his  ])eople  in  anger  and  rebellion,  stigmatizing 
them  as  cowards,  and  heaping,  especially  nixni  Keokuk,  the  iiiosl 
al)usive  ejiithets,  because  they  would  not  rashly  plunge  into  a  w!i,r 
with  a  nation  which  could  crush  them  at  any  moment.  Keokuk 
had  |u-edicted  the  event  of  such  a  contest,  and  Black  Hawk,  who 
had  broinrht  it  on  his  followers  by  imprudently  entering  the  country 
of  an  incensed  enemy,  now  stood  liefore  his  jieople  a  ruined  man, 
owiiitr  his  life  to  the  cleinency  of  his  captors — his  reputation  for 
prudence  and  conduct  blighted,  his  followers  nearly  all  slaughtered, 
his  lonix-nursed  scheme  of  superseding  Keokuk  blasted  for  ever. 

Major  Garland  was  the  first  to  speak,  lie  expressed  his  grati- 
fication at  the  friendly  reception  which  had  l)een  extended  to 
Black  Hawk  and  his  companions,  and  hoped  that  the  nation  would 
now  live  at  peace.  He  reminded  them  of  a  speech  made  to  the 
prisoners  by  the  President,  in  which  the  red  men  were  dissuaded 
from  war  n-yl  domestic  broils,  and  caused  that  address  to  be 
interpreted  at  full  length.  Keokuk  arose  and  said,  "  The  heart  of 
our  Great  Father  is  good;  he  has  spoken  like  the  father  of  many 
children.  The  (Jreat  Spirit  made  his  heart  big  in  council.  We 
receive  our  brothers  in  friendship;  our  hearts  are  good  towards 
them.  They  once  listened  to  bad  advice,  now  their  ears  are  closed 
against  evil  counsel.  I  give  them  my  hand.  When  they  .shake  it, 
they  shake  the  hands  of  all.  I  will  sliake  hands  with  them,  and 
then  I  have  done." 


BLACK  HAWK. 


237 


They  wero  tlion  told  by  Miijor  (iiirland  llial  the  President  con- 
sidered Keokulv  the  i)riiiri|)id  cliicl"  of  the  nation,  and  drsircil  lie 
shouhl  he  acknowledtied  as  snch;  ii(>  expected  IMack  Hawk  Movdd 
listen,  and  eonforni  to  this  arranircini'iit ;  he  hojied  the  dissensions 
in  tile  trihe  would  cease,  that  he  should  hear  no  more  of  two  hands, 
but  that  all  would  unite  in  living  together  as  one  nation.  From 
some  mistake  of  tlie  interpreter,  JMack  Ilawk  iniderstood  that  lie 
was  ordered  to  submit  to  tlie  advice  of  Keokidv,  and  Ijccame  greatly 
excited.  Losing  all  eonnnand  of  himself,  he  arose,  trembling  with 
anger,  and  exclaimed,  "I  am  a  man — an  old  man.  1  will  not  obe}- 
the  coun.sels  of  any  one!  I  will  act  for  myself — no  one  sludl  govern 
me!  lam  old,  my  hair  is  gray.  I  once  gave  counsels  to  young 
men — am  I  to  lie  ruled  l)y  others?  1  shall  .soon  go  to  the  (ircat 
Spirit,  where  I  sliall  be  at  rest!  \\  hat  1  said  to  our  Great  Father 
at  Washintiton,  I  say  again — I  will  listen  to  him.     I  am  done  !" 

This  address  caused  a  momentary  excitement  throughout  the 
a.ssemblage.  It  was  an  imusnal  de])arlur(!  from  the  decorum  wliich 
ordinarily  ])revails  in  an  Indian  council;  and  was  not  expected 
from  so  old  a  man — still  less  from  one  who  had  recently  be(Mi 
severely  ])unished  for  givin.ij  way  to  his  passions,  'i'he  oil'ensive 
remark  was  explained :  he  was  told  that  the  President  had  not 
commanded,  but  advised  him,  to  submit  himself  to  the  chief  of  his 
peo])le.  He  made  no  reply.  His  galled  spirit  h;id  been  touched; 
he  liad  tiiven  loose  to  feelings  which  had  long  been  restrained,  and 
he  now  sat  in  moody  silence.  Keokidv,  in  a  low  tone,  said  to  him, 
'■\\'liy  do  you  speak  thus  before  white  men?  You  trembled — you 
did  not  mean  what  you  said.  I  will  speak  for  you."  The  okl  man 
consented,  and  Keokuk  arose : 

"Our  brother,  who  has  lately  come  back  to  us,"  .said  he,  "has 
spoken,  but  he  s]K)k(^  in  anger.  His  tongue  was  forked.  He  did 
not  speak  like  a  man,  like  a  Sauk.  He  felt  that  his  words  were 
bad,  and  trembled  like  a  tree  whose  roots  have  been  washid  by 
many  rains.     He  is  old — let  us  forget  what  he  said.     He  savs  he 


238 


DIOCHAI'IIY. 


(lid  not  iiicMii  it.  He  wislics  it  I'or^rottcii.  \\  li;it  T  liiivc  said  art' 
liis  words,  iidt  iiiiiio.  I. lit  us  say  liiat  our  hrDliicr  siiokc  iu  cnuucil 
to-dav,  !Uid  tliat  his  words  were  j^uod.     1  iiavc  siiokcu." 

Conciliatory  rt'Uiarks  were  luado  by  Culoucl  J)uvrii|ior1,  \\\i' 
coiuiuandiuij  odiccr  at  Itock  Island,  and  by  Major  (Jarlaud,  alter 
uliicli  J}lack  Hawk  n'i|U('s1fd,  that  if  his  words  had  lii'cu  written 
<lown,  a  black  lino  niiglit  be  drawn  over  them. 

AV'ajiella  said,  "I  am  not  in  the  Jiubit  oC  talkiiijj; — I  thiidc — I 
liavc^  been  thinkin;^r  all  day.  Keokuk  lias  spoken;  he  spoke  for  us 
all.  I  am  glad  to  sec  my  brothers  I  will  shake  hamls  with  them. 
I  have  done." 

After  the  council  had  clo.sed,  Major  Garland  invited  the  prin- 
cipal cliiels,  with  Black  Hawk,  to  s[)end  llic  evening  at  his 
(piarters,  in  the  hope  of  cementing  the  reconciliation  which  had 
been  ell'ected.  The  jiipe  was  circulated,  and  the  Indians  treated 
to  a  glass  of  sparkling  champaigne,  which  they  relished  highly. 
Pashepaliaw,  after  shaking  hands  with  the  whole  company,  made 
a  speech : 

"We  met  this  morning,"  said  he;  "I  am  glad  we  have  met 
again.  '^I'liat  wine  is  very  good;  I  never  draidv  any  of  that  kind 
liefore.  1  have  thought  much  of  our  meeting  to-day ;  it  was  one 
that  told  us  we  were  lirothers,  that  we  were  all  Sauk.s.  Wc  had 
just  returni'd  from  a  buffalo  hunt,  and  ihouglil  it  was  time  for  our 
brothers  to  be  luTc,  as  our  brothers  at  St.  Louis  told  us  they  would 
conic  in  this  moon,  ^^'e  started  before,  sunrise;  to  meet  you ;  we 
have  met.  and  taken  our  brothers  l)y  the  hand  in  friendship.  They 
always  distrusted  our  counsels,  and,  forsaking  the  trail  of  the  red 
men,  went  where  there  were;  no  hunting-grounds,  nor  friends — now 
they  hav(;  returned  to  find  the  dogs  howling  around  their  wigwams, 
and  wives  lool  ing  for  their  husbands.  They  said  we  counselled 
like  women,  hut  the}'  have  found  our  coun.sels  were  sound.  They 
have  boon  through  the  country  of  our  Great  Father.  They  have 
been  to  the  wigwams  of  the  white    men.     They  received  t«hem 


Ill, ACFC   HAWK, 


q;39 


kindly,  and  miuh  llicir  liciiits  ^Hiid.  Wo  lliank  tliciii:  miv  tn  the 
white  people  tluit  Keokuk  and  I'jisliepaliavv  tliaidc  tiieni.  Our 
brother  lias  promised  to  listen  to  the  eonnsels  of  Keokuk.  \V  iiat 
lie  siiid  in  council  to-day  was  like  tlio  fog  of  the  Mississippi — the 
sun  has  shone  and  the  day  is  clear,  lot  us  foryet  it.  His  lieart  is 
i^ood,  but  his  cars  have  l)een  opened  to  bad  counsels,  lb;  listened  to 
iheni,  and  clo.sed  liis  ours  to  the  voice  which  came  across  the  great 
waters.  He  now  knows  that  he  outiht  to  listen  to  Keokuk.  We  told 
our  (Ireat  Father  that  all  woidd  lie  ([uiet,  and  asked  him  to  let  our 
brother  ^o.  He  opened  his  dark  prison,  and  let  him  see  the  risin^f 
sun;  he  gave  him  to  Ids  wil'c  and  cliilihcii,  who  were  without  a 
lodge.  Our  Clreat  rather  ma(h'  sti'aigiit  the  path  ol  our  brother. 
I  once  took  prisoner  a  great  chief  of  the  O.sages.  1  heard  the  erit's 
of  h'  women  and  children.  I  took  him  out  to  the  rising  sun,  and 
pu*  upon  the  trail  to  his  village.     'Go,'  .said  I,  'and  tell  your 

pe(  _  .at  Pashepahaw,  chief  of  the  8auks,  sent  you.'  We  thaidv 
our  (ireat  Father.  Say  to  him  thai  1  reach  out  my  right  hand  ;  he 
is  a  great  way  oil',  but  1  now  shake  him  by  the  hand.  Our  hearts 
arc  good  towards  him.  I  hope  to  sec  him  before  I  lie  down  in 
peace.  May  the  (ireat  Spirit  be  in  his  counsels.  What  our 
brother  said  to-day,  let  us  forget.     I  am  done." 

Keokuk  arose  and  said,  "We  feel  proud  that  you  have  invited 
us  here  this  evening  to  drink  with  you.  'i'he  wine  which  we  have 
drunk  wc  never  tasted  before.  It  is  the  wine  which  the  white  men 
make,  who  know  how  to  make  every  thing.  I  will  take  another 
glass,  as  I  have  much  to  say.  To-day  we  shook  hands  with  our 
brothers.  We  were  glad  to  sec  them — wc  often  thought  of  our 
brothers.  Many  of  our  nation  said  they  would  never  return  ;  their 
wives  and  children  often  came  to  our  wigwams,  which  made  us 
feel  sad.  AVhat  Pashepahaw  said  is  true.  I  talked  to  our  young 
l)raves,  who  bad  the.  hearts  of  men;  I  told  them  that  the  Great 
Spirit  was  in  our  counsels,  and  they  promised  to  live  in  peace 
Those  who  listened  to  bad  advice,  and  followed  our  brothers,  have 
31 


Ea 


240 


BIOGRAPHY. 


said  that  tlicir  ears  are  closed — they  will  go  to  wai  no  more.  I 
sent  their  words  to  our  Great  Father,  whose  cars  wee  open.  His 
heart  bad  been  made  sad  by  the  conduct  of  these  our  brothers, 
whom  he  has  now  sent  home.  We  thank  him.  Say  to  him  Keokuk 
thanks  him  Our  brothers  have  seen  the  y;reat  villages  of  tlie  white 
men;  they  travelled  a  long  road,  and  found  ilie  Americans  like 
grass.  Mtuiy  years  ago  I  wen\  th.rough  the  villages  of  our  Great 
Father;  he  had  many  that  were  broad  like  the  great  prairies.  He 
lias  gone:  another  is  our  Father;  he  is  a  great  war  chief  I  want 
to  see  him ;  I  shall  be  proud  to  take  him  by  the  hand.  I  have 
heard  much  of  him;  his  head  is  gray.  Tell  him  as  .soon  as  the 
snow  melts  from  the  prairie  I  will  come.  What  I  have  said  I  wish 
spoken  to  him,  before  it  is  put  ujjon  ])aper,  so  that  he  shall  hear  it 
as  I  said  it.  Wliat  our  broilu'r  said  in  council  to-day  let  us  forget. 
lie  told  me  to  speak:  I  spoke  his  words.     I  have  spoken." 

Black  Hawk  then  ro^e  with  a  calm  but  dejected  air.  "I  Icl!  " 
said  he,  "that  I  am  an  old  man;  ouce  I  could  speak,  but  'low  J 
have  litt'3  to  say.  AVe  have  met  many  of  our  brothers  to-day;  wo 
were  glad  to  see  them;  we  have  listened  to  them;  their  hearts  are 
good.  They  have  beliaved  like  Sauks  since  I  left  them;  they  have 
taken  care  of  my  wife  and  children,  who  liad  no  wigwam;  I  thank 
them  for  it.  The  Great  Spirit  knows  I  thank  tliem.  Before  the 
sun  gets  behind  the  hills  to-morrow,  I  shall  see  them.  When  I  left 
them,  I  e.Kpected  to  return  soon.  I  told  our  Great  Father  at  Wash- 
ington I  would  listen  to  'lis  counsels;  I  say  so  to  you.  I  will  listen 
to  Keokuk,  i  sliall  soon  be  far  away,  where  I  shall  have  no  village, 
no  band;  I  sliall  live  alone.  What  I  said  in  council  to-day  I  wish 
forgotten.  Say  to  our  Great  Father,  and  Governor  Cass,  I  will 
li  ,':en  to  them.  Many  year=  ago  I  met  Governor  Cass  in  council, 
far  across  the  great  prairies  towards  the;  rising  sun.  His  advice 
was  ^ood,  but  my  ears  were  shut.  I  listened  to  the  Great  Father 
far  across  the  big  waters.  My  father,  whose  band  was  large,  also 
listened  to  him.     My  band  w;is  once  large — now  I  have  no  band. 


BLACK   HAWK. 


211 


I  and  my  son,  and  all  our  party,  lliank  our  Great  Father  for  ^^'llat 
he  has  done,  lie  is  old,  I  am  old;  \vc  shall  soon  go  to  the  Great 
Spirit,  and  be  at  rest.  IJe  sent  us  tliroiigli  Iris  great  villages,  ^\'e 
saw  many  of  the  white  men,  and  were  kindly  treated.  We  thank 
them.  Say  to  them  we  thaidt  them.  We  thaidi  you  for  travelling 
Avith  us — your  path  was  long  and  crooked.  We  never  saw  so  many 
■white  men  before;  but  when  with  you  we  felt  as  safe  as  if  among 
friends.  When  you  come  to  the  Mississippi  again,  3'ou  shall  come 
to  my  lodge — now  I  have  none.  On  your  road  home,  you  will  pass 
where  our  village  once  was.  No  one  llvts  there  now — all  are  gone. 
I  give  you  my  hand ;  we  may  never  meet  again,  Init  we  shall  re- 
member you.  The  Great  Spirit  will  be  with  yo\i,  and  your  wives 
and  children.  I  vdll  shake  hands  with  my  brothers  here,  and  then 
I  am  done." 

Thus  ended  the  brief  but  disastrous  contest  brought  about  by 
the  rapacity  of  a  few  of  our  citizens.  But  althougii  this  was  the 
immediate  cause  of  the  war,  it  must  not  be  denied  that  there  Avcre 
other  latent  sources  of  disquiet  whicli  had  predisposed  a  portion 
of  the  Sauks  to  such  a  mcasin-e.  The  rivalry  between  Black 
ITawk  and  Keokuk  was  of  long  standing,  and  had  occasioned  much 
heart  burning.  The  former  was  tlie  older  man,  and  was  descended 
from  the  chiefs,  but  was  deficient  in  talent,  and  inferior  to  his  rival 
in  popularity;  the  latter,  having  energy,  address,  conduct,  and 
eloquence,  gradually  rose  to  the  head  of  the  tribe.  The  division 
would  probably  have  been  healed  long  since  but  for  an  unfortunate 
interference.  After  the  war  l)ctween  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,  in  which  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  took  jjart  with  the  latter, 
a  formal  peace  was  made  in  1S15,  in  which  those  tribes  acknow- 
ledged themselves  to  be  mider  tiie  protection  of  the  American 
government.  For  this  reason,  and  because  their  lands  were  within 
tlie  boundaries  of  tlic  L'nited  States,  Keokuk  at  once  admitted  the 
propriety  of  trading  and  negotiating  entirely  with  the  American 
iigents  and  traders,  and  made  liis  annual  visits  accordingly  to  St 


242 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Louis.  Black  Hawk,  from  mere?  pcrversencss  at  first,  but  after- 
Avards  from  interest,  coutiiiued  to  resort  to  the  British  pll^t  at 
Makleu,  and  to  receive  protection  from  tlic  Britisli  autlioritics,  or, 
as  lie  expressed  it,  "to  listen  to  the  Great  Father  aeross  the  big 
waters."  Those  wlio  recoil  .'ct  the  late  unhappy  war  with  Great 
Britain,  have  not  forgotten  that  it  occasioned,  especially  upon  the 
frontier,  a  bitterness  of  feeling,  akin  to  that  created  by  a  civil  war, 
and  which  continued  to  rankle  for  years  after  the  contest  was  over. 
The  visits,  therefore,  of  Black  Hawk  to  Canada  were  not  likely  to 
produce,  on  his  part,  a  disposition  friendly  to  the  United  States.  It 
was  on  such  occasions  that  he  received  the  bad  advice  alluded  to 
by  the  chiefs  in  their  speeches. 

Black  Hawk  was  one  of  the  party  which  attended  Keokuk  in  his 
journey  to  Washington,  in  1S;J7.  lie  was,  however,  not  one  of  the 
delegates,  but  was  taken  with  them  to  prevent  him  from  engaging, 
in  their  absence,  in  intrigues  which  might  disturb  the  harmony  of 
the  tribe.  He  accompanied  them  to  all  pnl)Hc  places,  and  was 
treated  as  a  friend  and  equal,  but  did  not  sit  in  coiuicil,  except  as 
a  spectator.  At  their  first  interview  with  the  Secretary  of  War, 
where  we  happened  to  be  present,  F  ^.ikuk  rose  and  said,  "There 
is  one  here  who  does  not  belong  tu  the  council,  but  he  has  been 
accustomed  to  sit  with  us  at  liome,  and  is  our  friend.  We  have 
brought  him  w  ith  u.s — we  hope  he  will  be  welcome." 

Black  Hawk  was  small  in  stature,  and  his  figure  not  striking; 
nor  did  his  features  indicate  a  high  urad(!  of  intelligence.  Tht 
strongest  evidence  of  his  good  .sense  is  found  in  an  a.s.sertion  con- 
tained in  his  autobiography,  that  he  never  had  l)ut  one  wife.  He 
died  at  his  villaire  on  the  Dcs  Moines  ri\er,  on  the  'h]  of  October, 
183*^.  His  l)ody  was  disposed  of,  at  his  special  rerpiest,  after  the 
manner  of  the  eliiefs  of  his  tril)e.  He  was  placed  upon  the  ground 
\\i  a  sittinir  nosture,  his  hands  gras[)ing  his  cane.  A  .scpiare 
one, osure  made  of  sa|ilinifs  is  all  tlie  moiunnent  that  mn'-ks  the 
spot  where  rest  the  remains  of  this  (ar-finieil  chief 


PASUEPAIIAW,  THE  STAJ}E£1[. 


J-iTTLE  is  known  of  this  chief,  except  that  lie  was  of  sufficient 
note  among  his  people  to  be  chosen  one  of  a  delegation  to  visit 
Washington  on  business  relating  to  his  tribe.     lie  is  represented 
to  be  vindictive  and  implacable  in  his  resentments.     The  Indian 
ngcnt   at    Prairie   du   Cl.ien,   having   offetuled    him,    Pashepahau- 
r.'solve<l  on  revenge,  and  actually  undertook  a  long  journey  with 
the  view  of  killing  him.     Tai-mah,  whose  portrait  will  appear  in 
the  course  of  this  work,  hearing  ,.f  the  Stabber's  p,n-pose,  oulspnl 
hmi,  and  made  known  to  the  ageat  his  bL.ody  design.    'J'his  timely 
information,   doubtless,  saved    the    agent's   life.     The    u.itiinuncd 
locks  that  hang  down  the  8tabb,.r-s  shoulders  imlicate  ,insatisfied 
revenge. 

It  is  not  probable,  if  more  was  known  of  this  lerocious  Indian 
that  Ins  biography  would  afford  any  incident  of  sufficient  interesi 
to  deserve  a  large  space  in  our  work.     There  can  be  no  qu(^stion 
that  the  agreeable  epithet,  by  which  he  has  cho.se.i  to  be  distin- 
guished, is  indicative  of  his  character. 

The  Sauivs,  as  a  nation,  affi)rd  favorable  spi^cimens  of  the 
Indian  race.  Among  a  larg<^  number  that  Me  have  seen  the 
majority  were  tall,  well  farmed,  a.Mive  meu,  who  bcstowc.l  mud. 
rare  on  the  decoration  of  their  persons,  and  were  dignified  in  thr^r 
•".■mners.  1  hey  are  a  warlike,  active,  and  s]u-iirhtl  v  ])eople,  friendly 
f-  the  whites,  and  hospitable  to  stranuers.  TI.eir  principal  resi- 
''•;"••'•'  """'  '•'■-'"l.v,  --  .„.  the  shores  of  Rock  river,  in  IHinoi.s, 
^viiere   tlieir   hunting-grounds    romprise.l    the    most    fertile    and 


244 


BIOGRAPHY. 


beautiful  region  of  the  west.  They  have  been  removed  from 
those  kively  plains  to  other  lands  beyond  the  Mississippi,  and 
their  recent  haunts  are  now  covered  with  the  farms  of  an  indus- 
trious population. 


_Z^..W.    .'.'K— 


PADDY  CARR. 


The  name  of  this  individual  indicates  liis  lineage.  His  father 
was  an  Irishman,  who  married  a  Creek  woman,  and  handed  down 
to  his  son  a  name  whicli,  though  neither  euphonious  nor  dignified 
in  our  ears,  is  perpetuated  with  no  little  pride  by  the  son  of  Erin. 
The  young  Paddy  was  born  near  Fort  Mitcholl,  in  Alabama,  and, 
in  his  infancy,  was  taken  into  the  family  of  Colonel  Crowell,  the 
Indian  agent,  and  kindly  reared  in  the  habits  of  civilized  life.  He 
was  very  intelligent,  acquiring  with  facility  the  language  of  his 
benefactors,  yet  retaining  his  own,  so  as  to  be  able,  in  after  years, 
to  speak  both  with  equal  fluency.  In  1826,  he  accompanied  the 
delegation  headed  by  Opothle  Yoholo,  to  Washington  city,  in  the 
capacity  of  interpreter;  and,  although  but  nineteen  years  of  age, 
he  evinced  a  quick  perception  of  the  human  character,  which 
enabled  him  to  manage  and  control  the  Indians  with  more  success 
tlian  many  who  were  his  seniors.  His  intuitive  sagacity  wa.s  such 
that,  in  rapidly  interpreting  the  speeches  of  the  Indian  orators,  even 
under  the  embarrassment  of  a  public  audience,  while  he  faithfully 
repeated  the  thought  expressed  by  the  speaker,  he  often  gave  it 
additional  vigor  and  clearness,  by  the  propriety  and  force  of  the 
lantTuaffe  in  which  he  clothed  it.  As  the  subst^ince  of  the 
harangues  made  on  such  occasions,  by  aboriginal  diplomatists,  is 
usually  matured  by  previous  consultation,  he  was  probably  well 
advised  of  the  whole  ground  that  would  be  taken;  but  those  who 
know  how  much  ability  is  employed  in  making  an  accurate  and 
spirited  translation,  will  acknowledge  the  merit  of  filling  woll  so 

(245^ 


246 


BIOGRAPHY. 


difficult  iin  odice  as  that  of  interpreter.  He  possessed  the  entire 
confidence  of  the  whole  delegation,  wlio  regarded  liini  as  a  youth 
of  superior  talents. 

Soon  after  jiis  return  from  Washintrton,  he  married  the  daughter 
of  Colonel  Lovelt,  a  respectable  half  breed,  with  whom  he  received 
a  portion,  which,  w  ith  the  property  accumulated  by  himself,  fur- 
nished a  capital  suflicient  to  ciialjle  him  to  go  into  trade.  In  a 
few  years  he  amassed  con.siderable  property,  and,  in  lS:i7,  was 
pos.sesscd  of  from  seventy  to  eighty  slaves,  besides  landed  jirnpiTty, 
and  a  large  stock  of  hor.ses  and  callle. 

In  ISSf),  he  was  drawn  from  tlie  quiet  pursuits  of  trade  and 
agriculture,  by  the  hostile  attitude  of  a  portion  of  the  Creeks,  and, 
unwilling  to  remain  inactive,  he  promptly  took  the  side  of  the 
<rovernment.  When  Major-Goneral  Jessup,  with  an  escort  of  about 
a  hundred  horsemen,  attempted  to  pass  througli  a  jiart  of  the 
revolted  district,  for  tlic  purpose  of  joining  and  taking  command  of 
the  Alabama  forces,  Paddy  Carr  attended  him  as  guide  and  inter- 
preter. In  a  part  of  the  country  where  much  of  the  land  was  low 
and  swamp}',  and  where  the  roads  were  rcnderetl  passable  by 
causeways  made  of  logs,  these  latter  were  found  torn  up,  and 
several  straggling  Indians  were  seen.  Supposing  these  to  be  tlie 
scouts  of  a  large  body,  Paddy  Carr  expressed  liis  conviction  that 
an  army  of  eight  hundred  warriors  was  at  hand,  and  suggested 
that  no  time  should  be  lost  in  getting  through  tlicsc  passes.  The 
advice  was  taken,  and,  by  ])ushing  boldly  through,  the  danger  was 
avoided.  In  conducting  the  escort  back,  a  circuitous  route  was 
taken,  by  which  the  same  body  of  Indians  was  again  eluded,  and 
a  party  of  gallant  volunteers  were  saved  from  the  fatal  catastrophe 
wliich  befell  the  lamented  Dade  and  his  unfortunate  companions. 
This  happy  result  has  been  attributed,  and  we  suppose  with  some 
reason,  to  the  sagacity  of  Paddy  Carr,  who  was  the  successful 
guide 

}Ic  continued  in  the  service  as  a  guide  and  interpreter,  and  also 


PADDY  CARR. 


247 


iis  a  Iciidcr  of  the  Indian  warriors,  during  tlio  continuanfc  of  Ukj 
troubles  in  the  Creek  nation,  and  was  a  general  favorite  with  the 
army. 

The  Creek  revolt  being  over,  Paddy  Carr  marclied  to  Florida 
as  second  in  coininand  of  abont  five  hundred  Creek  warriors,  wlio 
volunteered  their  services  lo  the  government,  ^\'e  undcnstand  that 
he  ranks  deservedly  liigh,  as  well  for  his  courage  and  skill  as  for 
his  acceptable  deportment  in  the  social  circle. 

Paddy  Carr  has  an  innate  passion  for  fine  horses,  and  owns  a 
large  nnmber  of  very  valuable  animals.  lie  is  fond  of  I'acing,  and, 
when  he  has  a  trial  of  speed  depending,  if  he  cannot  suit  iiimself 
with  a  rider,  he  rides  his  own  horse.  lie  is  of  a  liberal  and  gene- 
rous disposition,  liospital)]e  to  strangers,  and  kind  to  the  poor. 
Many  of  the  poorer  cla.sses  of  Indians  depend  on  him  for  support. 
lie  has  three  wives,  one  of  whom  is  daughter  of  the  ill-futed  Gene- 
ral Mcintosh.  The  two  first  born  of  his  children  were  twin  girls, 
and  Captain  Crowell,  the  son  of  ids  early  friend  and  patron,  having 
a  daughter  jiamed  Ariadne,  he  called  one  of  his  twins  Art  and  tlu; 
other  Acbic,  tlius  evincing  a  sense  of  benefits  received,  which  is  in 
it.self  one  of  the  hiyrhest  evidences  of  a  noble  mind. 


3S 


PAYTA  KOOTliA. 


The  interi.retation  of  the  name  of  this  Indian  is  "Flying 
clouds;"  but  lie  is  better  known  among  tjie  Americans  as  "Captain 
Reed."  He  is  a  Shawanoe  of  the  Chilicotho  tribe,  but  was  born 
m  the  country  of  the  Creeks.  His  age,  at  the  time  his  portrait  was 
taken,  is  suppo.sed  to  have  been  about  fifly-five  years.  Althou'rh 
considered  a  brave  man,  he  has  never  gained  any  distinction  as°a 
warrior,  but  is  a  very  good  hunter.  He  had  little  popularity  or 
innuence  in  his  tribe.  In  1833,  he  was  living  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

Colonel  John  Johnston,  of  Ohio,  a  venerable  and  highly  intelli- 
gent gentleman,  who  was  intimately  acquainted  with"  the  north- 
western Indians,  represents  this  individual  as  a  wandering,  unsettled 
man,  often  engaged  in  emba.ssies  between  the  tribes,  and^frequcntly 
journeying  to  distant  villages.  He  was  considered  a  peaceable, 
inoffensive  person,  without  talents,  but  always  disposed  to  exert 
himself  in  reconciling  differences  between  tribes  or  individuals, 
and  was  esteemed  by  the  red  people  as  a  benevolent  man.  How' 
ever  that  reputation  may  have  conciliated  for  him  the  good  will  ot 
those  around  him,  it  gave  him  not  the  kind  of  standing  which  a 
daring  warrior,  or  a  bold  intriguing  leader  would  have  possessed 
among  the  fierce  warriors  of  the  forest,  and  Captain  Reed  had  the 
c()mmon  fate  of  enjoying  the  respect  of  his  as.sociates,  while  men 
of  less  moral  worth  directed  their  councils. 

(249) 


A 
w 
ii 
w 
w 

ll( 

w 
m 


TAIICIIEE. 


Tahciikk  is  the  Cherokee  word  for  Dutch.  IIow  tlio  iudivichml 
before  us  acquired  this  name  we  are  not  informed,  exccj)l  that  lie 
obtained  it  in  liis  infancy  from  his  own  peoph).  In  process  of  time, 
as  its  import  became  known,  it  was  translated  into  the  word  Dutch, 
by  which  he  is  most  usually  called.  lie  was  born  about  the  year 
1790,  at  Turkey  Town,  on  the  Coosa  river,  in  a  district  of  country 
then  composed  of  the  wfld  lands  of  the  United  States,  hut  now 
included  in  the  State  of  Alabama,  and  was  forty-seven  years  of  age 
when  his  portrait  was  taken.  The  picture  is  an  admirable  likeness. 
Tahchec  is  five  feet  eleven  inches  high,  of  admiraiile  jiroportions, 
flexible  and  graceful  in  his  movements,  and  possesses  great  muscu- 
lar power  and  activity;  while  his  countenance  expresses  u  coolness, 
courage,  and  decision,  which  accord  well  with  his  distingiiislicd 
reputation  as  a  warrior 

He  is  the  third  of  the  lour  sons  of  Skyugo,  a  famous  Cherokee 
chief,  and  had  thus,  by  inheritance,  a  claim  to  rank,  which  is 
always  respected  among  the  Indians,  when  supported  by  niciit. 
At  an  early  age,  in  comjjany  with  his  mother,  and  i*n  uncle  who 
was  called  Thomas  Taylor,  ho  emigrated  to  the  St.  Francis  river 
in  Arkansas;  but,  as  his  family  was  among  the  first  of  those  who 
were  induced,  by  the  encroachment  of  the  whites,  to  remove  to  the 
west  of  the  IMississi[)pi,  and  his  own  age  not  more  than  five  years, 
he  retains  but  a  faint  recollection  of  the  exodus.  The  country,  in 
wjiich  tliey  sought  a  refuge,  v.-as  a  wilderness  into  which  the  white 
man  had  not  intruded — a  broad  and  fertile  land,  where  extensive 

(251) 


i.Vi 


BIOGKAIMl  Y. 


pmirios,  Jilternnliii;^  with  luxiiiiiiut  lorcNts,  afTordcd  sliclter  and 
pastil r.'i'^o  to  vast  nmnltcrs  of  tlu'  utiiiiials  '.lost  eajicrly  smi^flil  l)y 
\\h'  liuiitt'r.  The  youiiy  'J'liliclioo  was  early  initialed  in  tlu;  arts 
ami  perils  of  the  ehase.  lie  reinoniliers,  when  he  lirst  went,  forth  a 
slender  but  ardent  boy,  in  search  of  game,  tiiat  his  uncle  prepared 
a  jriiii,  l)y  cutting  ofT  part  of  the  barrel,  so  as  to  render  it  portable 
and  easily  managed  in  tlie  hands  of  the  young  hmiter.  Thus  early 
is  the  native  of  the  forest  trained  to  these  arts  of  woodcraft,  and 
taught  to  face  the  dangers  of  the  wild,  and  the  extremities  of  the 
weather;  and  it  is  through  the  means  of  such  culture,  that  he 
becomes  so  expert  in  all  that  relates  to  hunting  and  border  warfare, 
and  80  indifferent  to  every  other  occu[)ation  or  amusement. 

For  the  first  three  years,  his  exertions  were  confined  to  tlu!  imme- 
diate neighborhood  of  his  residence;  but,  at  the  end  of  that  [)eriod, 
he  was  permitted  to  accompany  a  regulai*  hunting  party  ujron  one 
of  those  long  expeditions  so  common  among  the  Auu'rican  tribes, 
and  which  indeed  occupy  the  greater  portion  of  the  lives  of  those 
amf)ng  tliem  who  are  a(iive  and  ambitious.  lie  was  absent  a  year, 
following  the  game  from  place  to  j)lace,  roaming  over  an  immense 
region  of  wilderness,  and  enduring  all  the  viei.ssitudes  attendant 
upon  long  journeys,  tin?  succession  of  the  seas<ins,  and  the  ever- 
varying  incidents  of  the  chase.  Those  who  have  hunted  only  for 
sport,  can  form  but  a  aint  conce[)lion  of  the  almost  incredihie 
dangers  and  fatigues  endured  by  the  Indians  in  these  protracted 
wanderings,  during  which  they  travel  to  distant  regiims,  often  meet, 
and  more  often  cunningly  elude,  their  enemies,  and  sulTer  the  nio.st 
wonderful  privations.  Their  lives  are  a  continuous  succes.<ion  of 
feasting  and  starvation,  of  exertion  and  sleep,  of  excitement,  intense; 
anxiety,  and  despondency,  thron<_di  all  which  they  pass  without 
becoming  weary  of  the  savage  life,  or  learning,  in  the  hard  school 
of  ex|)erience,  the  wi.sdom  Avhich  would  teach  them  to  imitate  (he 
examples  of  the  ant  and  the  bee,  by  maliing  provision  for  the  winter 
during  the  season  of  harvest. 


TAHCII  KK. 


253 


On  tlic  rt'liiin  (tf  Taliclioo,  fifter  this  loii'^j  iilisciicc,  lie  irMc'icd 
liDHie  luto  at  nit^lit,  and  knocked  at  tlie  dour  of  liis  motlicr's  ciljin, 
who,  snpposini^-  it  to  he  soinn  driiiditMi  Inthun,  calk-d  out  In  him 
un^;rily  to  j^u  away,  as  shu  had  no  whi, '<y  to  ^mvc  him.  Dutcli, 
who,  like  a  trno  Indian,  would  rather  cllci^t  liis  oliject  by  in- 
direction, tliaii  I)y  any  ojx'n  procedure,  went  rourui  tiie  maternal 
mansion,  winch  was  hut  a  llimsy  fahrio  of  logs,  whoso  \vv<ik  points 
were  well  kii"i>'  n  to  him,  and  attempted  to  enter  at  a  window,  hut 
was  mot  hy  his  amiai)!e  parent,  who  stood  prepared  to  defend  her 
castle  against  the  unknown  intruder,  armed  with  a  tough  and  well 
seasoned  stick,  with  which  she  was  wont  to  stir  lier  hominy.  He 
was,  of  course,  compelled  to  retreat,  I)ut  soon  after  succeeded  in 
eflfecting,  at  some  other  point,  a  practicable  lireach,  hy  which  he 
entered,  and  was  immediately  recognized  and  cordiallv  welcomed 
hy  his  mother. 

After  remaining  at  home  but  three  months,  he  accompanied 
another  party,  -am  posed  of  about  fifteen  hunters,  to  tlie  Red  river, 
wlio,  being  unsuccessful,  .soon  returned.  During  their  absence, 
another  party  <if  Cherokees  were  attacked  vipon  White  river  by  tiie 
Osages,  who  kill(^d  several,  and  took  one  prisoner — a  cousin  of 
Tahclieo  being  among  tlie  .slain.  The  tidings  of  this  insult  incited 
the  Cherokees  to  immediate  measures  of  retaliation,  and  a  war  party 
was  raised,  con.sisting  of  thirty-two  individuals,  headed  by  Cahta- 
teeskee,  or  the  Dirt  Seller.  Though  but  a  mere  boy,  Dutch  was 
permitted  to  join  the  (expedition,  probably  in  virtue  of  his  consan- 
guinity to  one  of  the  slain;  but,  as  is  customary'  on  such  occasions, 
the  burden  of  carrying  the  kettles,  and  other  baggage,  fell  to  his 
lot,  for  the  Indian  warrior  never  condescends  to  perform  any  labor 
that  can  be  shifted  ofi*  upon  the  less  dignified  shoulders  of  a  youth- 
ful or  feminine  companion.  At  tiieir  fir.st  encampment,  the  Dirt 
Seller,  who  was  his  uncle,  raised  him  to  the  .staticm  of  a  warrior, 
by  a  ceremony,  which,  however  sim[)le,  was  doul)tiess  as  highly 
prized  hy  the  young  Cherokee,  as  was  the  honor  of  knigiithood 


254 


BIOGRAPHY. 


by  our  scarcely  less  barbarous  ancestors.  The  leader  of  the  hostile 
band,  having  cut  a  stick,  and  fashioned  it  with  liis  knife  into  the 
for;n  of  a  war-club,  presented  it  to  his  proniisinj^  relative  with 
these  words:  "  I  present  this  to  you;  if  you  are  a  lirave,  and  can 
use  it  in  battle,  keep  it;  if  you  fail  in  laaking  it,  as  a  warrior  should, 
ellective  upon  the  living,  then,  as  a  I'oy,  strike  with  it  the  boihcs 
of  the  dead!"  Tahchee  received  this  interesting  token  of  his 
luicle's  regard  with  becoming  reverence,  and  used  it,  on  subscipicnt 
occasions,  iu  a  manner  which  reflected  no  disgrace  ui)oii  his 
worthy  family.  They  shortly  after  came  n[)oii  an  encampmeut 
of  the  enemy,  in  the  night,  wliicli  tliey  surprise<l,  and  attacked 
just  before  daybreak.  Talichee,  fired  with  zeal,  and,  incited  by  the 
recent  admonition  of  his  uncle  to  prove  his  manhood,  slew  two  of 
tlie  enemy  with  his  war-club,  and  secured  the  customary  evidence 
of  savage  prowess  by  taking  tlieir  scalps.  The  Osages  were 
dcteated,  with  the  loss  of  sixleen  of  their  warrior.^,  »\  ho  were  killed 
and  scalped,  while  not  a  man  was  killed  on  tiie  side  of  the 
Clierokecs.  The  only  blood  drawn  from  our  young  hero,  was 
by  a  wound  from  his  own  knife,  while  in  the  act  of  performimi, 
for  the  lirst  time,  the  operation  of  scal]iiiig  a  fallen  cnemv- 
His  daring  and  successful  conduct  gained  him  great  renown, 
a  id  wlicM,  (111  the  return  of  the  party,  the  scalp  dance  was 
celebrat(.'d,  with  the  usual  ceremonies,  the  honor  of  beinsi  recoif- 
iii/ed  as  a  warrior  was  unanimously  conceded  to  the  youthful 
Tahclict-.  His  subse(pient  career  has  amj)ly  fulfilled  the  jiroiiiise 
thus  early  indicated,  and  a  long  series  of  warlike  exploits  has 
conclusively  proved  that  both  his  skill  and  courage  are  of  the 
highest  order. 

All  active  war,  between  the  Osages  and  Cherokei  ,  succeeded 
the  events  which  we  have  noticed.  Excursions  and  inroads  were 
made  on  both  sides  during  two  or  three  years,  and  many  hard 
battles  were  foiiuht,  in  which  bnlh  were  allcrnaleU  '  j.-iorioiis;  biil, 
ahliiiii.di  Tahch<'e   seived   ac1i\(l\    thi(p|i"h(iiit  tlir   wlinlc   u;ir,  no 


na 


TAIICHEE. 


2.55 


party  to  vvhicli  lie  was  allachod,  %\  us  over  defeated,  or  lost  a  man, 
nor  was  he  wounded. 

Ai'er  a  vindictive  and  liarassinjr  war,  a  peace  was  at  length  con- 
eluded,  which  was  hap[)ily  so  well  cemented,  that  Tahchee  and  a 
Irieud,  being  on  a  hunting  expvdition,  wandered  into  the  Osage 
country,  and  vvere  so  well  received,  that  they  remained  among 
their  .former  enemies  for  fourteen  months,  during  which  time 
'rahchee  learned  to  speak  the  Osage  language,  and,  by  conforming 
to  the  haljits  of  that  tribe,  gained  their  esteem,  and  became 
identified  with  them  in  manners  and  feeling,  lie  joined  one  of 
their  war  parties  in  an  expedition  against  the  Pawnees,  but  re- 
turned without  having  met  willi  an  enemy. 

During  his  residence  among  the  O.sages,  he,  of  course,  ei.gaged 
with  them  in  hunting  as  well  as  in  war.  On  one  occasion,  being 
on  a  hunt  with  a  large  party,  their  provisions  became  scarce,  and  a 
low  of  the  mo.st  active  ynung  men  were  selected  to  go  out  and  kill 
bull'.iloes.  He  was  asL  d  if  he  could  shoot  the  ijull'alo  with  an 
arrow  ;  for,  as  the  Clurukees  inhabit  a  wooded  country,  where 
these  animals  are  not  so  abundant  as  upcn  the  prairies  over  w  liicii 
the  Osages  roam,  and  where  the  praclice  ol  chasing  them  on  horse- 
back is  not  common,  he  was  not  sujiposed  to  be  expert  in  lliis 
species  of  limiting.  He,  however,  niihed  confiuentl}-,  that  he 
lliought  he  could  do  any  thing  th.it  could  ln'  done  by  their  ou  n 
vouiig  men,  and  was  accordingly  joined  to  the  number.  Each  of 
the  hunters  was  furnished,  at  his  departure,  with  a  certain  number 
of  arrows,  and  was  expected,  ou  his  return,  to  account  for  the 
wliole,  and  especially  to  assign  a  suHiiMeiit  excu.sc  for  the  loss  of 
any  lliat  might  be  missing.  Tliey  set  out  on  horseback,  comjiletelv 
ei|ui|)ped  for  the  liardy  and  exciting  spor',  and  sui'i'eeded  in 
finding  a  herd  grazing  upon  llu'  plain.  Having  cautiously  aji- 
preached,  without  alarming  the  game,  until  they  were  surticientl> 
near  for  the  onset,  tiie  finest  animals  were  selected,  and  the 
huntiMs  <ia.shed  in  among  them.     'I'he  atlrighted  herd  lied,  and  the 


256 


BIOGRAPHY. 


hunters,  each  murkiiig  out  his  victim  juuI  pursuing  at  full  speed, 
pressed  lorward  until  the  superior  lleeluess  uf  the  horse  brought 
him  abreast  of  the  Iju Halo,  when  the  hunter,  who  had  previously 
dropped  the  reius,  and  guided  his  steed  by  a  well  uuderstood 
j)ressure  of  the  heel  in  cither  llauk,  discharged  his  arrow  with  au 
aim  which  seldom  erred,  and  with  a  force  so  great  as  to  bury  the 
missile  in  the  body  of  the  huge  creature.  Several  of  the  herd  were 
killed,  hut  our  friend  Dutch  was  unsuccessful,  in  consequence  of 
the  provoking  interference  of  a  largo  bull,  which  several  times,  as 
he  was  on  the  jmint  of  discharging  an  arrow,  prevented  him  from 
doing  so,  by  crossing  his  path,  or  interposing  his  unwieldy  body 
Itetween  the  hunter  and  his  prey.  Incensed  at  having  his  object 
tlius  frustrated,  he  discharged  an  arrow  at  the  bidl,  wliicii  penetrated 
the  shoulder  of  tlie  animtil,  but  without  inllicting  a  wound  severe 
enough  to  prevent  tlie  latter  from  esca|)ing  with  the  sliaft.  On  the 
return  of  tlie  ])!nMy,  Taiichee  was  reprimamled  for  having  lost  an 
arrow,  and  lhn'al<'n('d  w  itli  corpurai  punishment — it  iieing  custom- 
ary in  tliat  nation  to  \\i\ip  tlie  \"oung  men  when  they  lose  or  throw 
away  their  arrows.  He  excuseil  himself  by  saying  that  he  was 
ignorant  of  their  i-nstoms,  and  unaware  of  the  imjiropriety  of 
throwing  an  arrow  at  randnm.  I'pon  this,  (.'Liymorc,  a  distin- 
truished  chief,  interfered,  and,  by  his  own  authority,  fiirbade  the 
punishment. 

lie  returned  again  to  his  people,  and,  in  die  succeeding  autumn, 
set  out  upon  a  long  hunt,  with  no  other  companion  tli;iu  three  dogs. 
lie  ascended  \\\v.  Arkansas  river  in  a  canoe  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Neosho,  and  then  puslied  his  little  bark  up  the  latter  as  I'lr  ;is  there 
was  sud'icient  water  for  this  kind  of  navigation,  and,  Iieing  unable 
to  jiroceed  further  by  water,  he  ab.mdoned  his  canoe,  and  travelled 
on  foot  across  a  region  of  prairies,  several  liumlred  miles,  to  the 
Missouri  river.  Ilen^  Ik^  emploved  himself  in  hunting  and  trap- 
piiitx,  until  he  secured  ninetv  Iieaver  skins,  w  ilh  which  he  returned 
to  the  siiot  at  which  he  had   left   his  eanoe.     On  his  return  home, 


TAIICJIEE. 


257 


ho  stopped  at  an  Osago  villaife  on  tlic  margin  of  the  Neosho,  whero 
lie  learned  that  a  celeltratcd  Cherokee  cliief  and  ^\arrior  named 
Chata,  who  had  made  the  I'ormer  peace  u  itli  the  Osages,  had  heen 
killed  by  tlieni,  wliile  luintiiig  in  company  with  Bowles,  who  after- 
wards led  a  party  of  Clierokees  into  Texas,  and  formed  a  settle- 
incMl.  Tiireo  other  Ciierokees  of  another  parly  had  heen  kiUed, 
and,  lis  retaliation  was  e.xpei.jd  to  ensue,  as  a  matter  of  course,  a 
war  between  the  tril)es  was  inevitahle.  Dutch  was,  therefore, 
admonislied  that  his  life  was  in  danger,  and,  having  been  kindly' 
supplied  witli  moccasonsand  jiandicd  corn,  was  rerpiesteil  to  depart. 
In  this  little  history  we  see  a  curious,  tliough  a  connnon  picture,  of 
savage  life.  An  individual  betakes  himself  alone  to  the  forest  to 
sjiend  months  in  wandering  and  hunting.  Day  after  day  he 
pushes  his  little  canoe  against  the  current  of  a  long  river,  until  ho 
has  traced  its  meanders  nearly  to  tlie  fountain  head,  leaving  tho 
ordinary  hunting-grounds  of  his  jicoplo  hundreds  of  niih's  in  tlie 
rear,  toucliinir  warily  at  tlie  viUagcs  of  tribes  known  to  lie  friendly, 
and  passing,  by  stealth,  those  at  which  he  might  encounter  an 
enemy.  When  tlie  stream  alTords  him  no  longer  a  practicable 
highway,  he  hides  his  canoe  in  the  trrass  or  bushes,  and  bends 
his  .solitary  way  across  immense  ])lains,  in  search  of  some  se- 
cluded spot,  where,  \indisturbeil  Iiy  any  intruder,  he  may  pursue 
the  occupation  <>f  the  huntiM".  I{eturnin<_'',  loaded  w  itii  the  sjioils 
of  the  chase,  be  nnist  again  trace  his  long,  and  weary,  and  soli- 
tary route,  through  the  haunts  of  open  foes  and  faithless  friends, 
uncertain  whom  to  trust,  or  what  changt>s  the  revolution  of  seve- 
ral niontlis  mav  liavc  elicited  in  the  relations  of  liis  trilie.  And 
he  nachi's  his  hom(^  at  last,  after  a  series  of  almost  incredibh; 
dangers  and  hardships,  with  the  acquisition  of  a  few  skins,  whi(di 
are  exchanired  for  a  bottle  of  whisky,  and  a  supply  of  g\ui|iowder, 
and,  haviu'j  enjoyeil  a  brief  revel,  and  a  lonu;  rest,  is  driven  fortli 
again  li\  nec(>ssitv,  or  the  love  of  a  vagrant  life,  to  encounter  a 
repetition  of  ihe  same  .savaije  vicissitudes. 


268 


BiOGRAPlIY. 


Soon  after  the  return  of  'I'ahclu'o,  a  Cherokee  woman  was 
killotl  by  the  Osaifcs,  jind,  I  'iiig  the  daiighlcr  of  an  aged  Ibniale, 
wlio  had  no  male  relatives  to  rovciigi!  ihc  murder,  the  bereaved 
motlicr  came  to  him  in  deep  distress,  and,  with  tears  in  iicr  vycs, 
bcsonght  him  to  liecome  tlie  avcngor  of  the  iiijnry.  lie  complied 
willi  the  request,  and,  liaving  raised  a  war  part\-,  k'd  tliem  agsHnst 
the  enemy,  nor  did  he  return  without  bringing  witli  liim  a  sulfi- 
cient  niiml)er  of  bloody  trophies  to  satisfy  tlie  mourning  relatives 
of  the  deceased. 

After  a  brief  but  active  war,  peace  was  again  established  between 
the  belligerent  parties — if  that  can  be  called  a  peace,  which  may 
be  interrupted  by  the  bail  passions  of  any  individual  who  may 
clioosc  to  gratify  his  propensity  for  stealing  horses,  or  shedding 
liuman  blood,  regardless  of  the  vengeance  which  is  sure  to  follow, 
and  of  the  war  into  which  his  misconduct  is  certain  to  plunge 
his  trilie. 

The  treaty  n\i\i\c  by  the  United  States  with  the  Cherokces,  in 
the  year  1S2S,  gave  great  dissalisfiiction  to  many  of  that  tribe,  and 
was  so  offensive  to  Tahchce,  thai  he  det(>rmined  to  abandon  the 
country. 

On  this  occasion,  our  friend  Dutch  removed  to  Red  river,  where 
ho  resided  three  years,  when  he  emigrated  to  Bowles's  settlement, 
ill  Tevas.  A  year  afterwards,  he  went  witli  a  war  |)arty  against 
the  Tawakanak.s,  of  whom  lifty-five  were  killtnl,  and  their  village 
ilestroyed,  while  but  five  of  Taiichee's  party  were  slain,  lie  next 
returned  to  Red  river,  on  whoso  banks,  near  the  junction  of  the 
Kiamiska,  he  lived  tiinu!  years,  continuing  to  luaki;  war  uj)on  liie 
O.sages.  The  government  of  the  I'liited  States  having,  in  various 
treaties  with  the  Indian  tribes,  stipulated  ihit  they  should  live  in 
])pace,  and  having  undertaken  to  interpose  their  authdrity,  if  neces- 
•sary,  for  the  preservation  of  harmony,  had  forbidden  this  war 
between  the  Cherokees  and  Osagis,  and,  as  Tahchce  was  now  an 
active  partisan  leader,  he  was  admonished  to  discontinue  his  j)redu- 


TAIICIIEE. 


2C9 


tor}'  career.  Pcrscvcriiiijr  in  a  coiirsc  of  iiivclerate  linstility,  when 
most  of  the  leaders  of  lii.s  trilx;  had  coiisenled  to  a  peace,  the  com- 
iTiaiidinif  oflicer  of  llie  Aiuericaii  army,  for  that  district,  offered  a 
reward  of  five  huiKh'eil  dollars  for  his  capture. 

Intelligence  of  this  offer  was  conveyed  to  Tahehee  by  soirie  of 
liis  friends,  who  souglil  to  ])revail  on  him  to  lly  ;  but  it  served  oidy 
to  make  him  more  desperate.  To  show  his  utter  contempt  of  this 
mode  of  seeurinjr  liis  caj)ture,  he  .started  in  the  direction  of  the  fort, 
and,  approachiniT  a  trading-house  near  the  moulh  of  the  Neosho,  at 
which  were  .some  Osages,  he  sprang  in  among  them,  and,  within 
hearing  of  the  drums  of  the  fort,  killed  and  scalped  one.  With  his 
rille  in  one  hand,  and  the  bleeding  trophy  in  the  other,  he  made 
for  a  precipice  near  by,  and,  as  he  sprang  from  it,  a  rifle  ball 
grazed  his  cheek — but  he  made  his  escape  in  safety  to  Ked  river, 
where  he  received  a  message  from  the  Indian  agent  of  the  United 
States,  and  Colonel  Arbuckle,  the  commanding  olhcer,  inviting 
him  to  return;  lie  at  iirst  declined,  but  on  being  informed  that  it 
was  the  wish  of  his  Great  Fatlicr,  and  a.ssurcd  that  the  offer  of  a 
reward  was  recalled,  he  buried  the  tomahawl:,  and  came  back.  In 
one  of  the  late  expeditions  of  a  portion  of  our  army,  Dutch  was 
cho.sen,  by  the  commanding  olhcer,  to  accompany  it.  To  his  accu- 
nite  knowledge  of  the  country  to  be  traversed,  he  added  the  skill 
of  the  hunter.  Uc  went,  therefore,  in  the  twofold  capacity  of  guide 
and  hunter.  His  services,  on  this  occasion,  were  of  incalculable 
vahie.  lie  literally  fed  the  troops.  \o  man  knew  better  than  he 
uiiere  to  fnid  the  buHalo,  ho\.'  to  capture  him,  and  from  what  part 
of  his  IkxIv  to  cut  the  choicest  pieces.  To  thu  <piestion  wo  put  to 
him — '•  llow  many  bulTaloes  iiavc  you  killed?" — he  answered,  "So 
many  I  cannot  numlier  them."  And  to  another — "  What  parts  of 
the  animal  are  considered  the  bes\  ?" — he  replied,  "  The  slionlder, 
including  the  hump,  and  the  1ongu.\" 

The  cheerfidness  with  which  he  bore  his  toils  and  his  exposures, 
in  the  twofold  capacity  referred  to,  in  connccuon  with  the  great 


260 


BIOCiUAPIIY, 


lidelity  with  which  he  executed  the  trust,  gained  him  great  ap- 
plause, and  made  hiin  a  general  favorite,  lie  demonstrated  his 
character  to  he  sound,  and  tliat  he  was  a  man  to  he  relied  on. 

lie  had  now  aliandoned  his  warlike  life,  and,  having  built  a 
hou.se  on  the  Canadian  river,  turned  his  attention  to  peaceable 
pursuits,  lie  has  persisted  ever  since  in  this  mode  of  life,  cultivated 
the  soil,  and  lives  in  comfort.  His  stock  of  cattle  and  ponies  is  the 
largest  in  tiiat  region,  and  he  has  evidently  discovered  that  it  is  to 
his  interest  to  live  at  peace  with  his  neighbors.  His  deportment 
is  mild  and  inoU'ensive,  and  he  enjoys  the  respect  of  those  around 
him.  The  family  of  Tahchee  consists  of  his  second  wife,  a  son, 
and  a  niece,  whom  he  adopted  in  her  in'ancy,  and  has  reared  with 
the  tenderness  of  a  parent. 

This  distinguished  warrior  has  been  engaged  in  more  than  thirty 
battles  with  the  Osages  and  other  tribes,  and  has  killed,  with  his 
own  hand,  twenty-six  of  the  enemy;  but,  with  the  exception  of  u 
slight  scratch  on  the  cheek,  has  never  been  wounded. 


KANAl'IMA, 


AN  OTTAWA   CHIEF. 


This  is  an  admirable  likoncss,  by  Otis,  of  the  ruling  chief  of  the 
Ottawas,  a  tribe  whicii  wms  formerly  nmncroiis  and  jjowcrful,  but 
is  now  dwindled  to  a  eoniparatively  .small  nuinlicr.  They  once 
occupied,  as  huiitin<r-gr()unds,  the  finest  lands  of  Ohio,  and  are 
mentioned  by  the  early  writers,  as  anions^  tiie  most  warlike  of  the 
nations  with  whom  the  Europeans  held  intercourse,  in  the  first 
settlement  of  the  country.  With  the  common  fate  of  their  race, 
they  w(Te  driven  from  tiieir  former  haunts  to  the  st(>rile  and  in- 
clement .shores  of  Lake  Superior,  where  a  ])orti(in  o<'  them  now 
derive  a  precarious  subsistence  by  (IshinLr  and  huntin;.,'',  wiiile  the 
remainder  have  emisrrated  to  the  far  west. 

On"  of  the  most  celebrated  of  all  the  northern  Indians  was 
Pontiac,  tlie  head  chief  of  this  tril)e,  whose  daring  exploits,  and 
able  oppiwition  against  the  early  British  settlements  on  the  lakes, 
are  too  well  known  to  require  re])etition  in  tliis  pl;ice.  Ilt^  lived 
on  tlie  south  bank  of  the  river  St.  Clair,  al)ove  Detroit.  His  son 
Ti.s.son,  with  a  \mv\.  of  the  tribe,  lived  on  tiie  lands  at  the  junction 
of  the  Maumeo  with  Lake  Erie,  since,  and  perliaps  before,  the 
revolutionary  war.  Ti.sson  le(l  iiis  people  in  nn  ex[)edition  against 
the  post  of  Vincennes,  about  the  tim(>  of  tlie  first  .setth-ment  of 
Kentucky.  The  Indians  were  defeated;  and  the  chief,  with  a 
number  of  his  warrior.s,  were  taken  |)risoners,  and  senteiieed  or 
threatened   to  be  shot,  according  to  the  usages  of  retaliation  to<i 


202 


BIOCiUAPIIY. 


olk-n  practised  at  that  period.     Tissou  w  as  rescued  by  a  stralagcu. 

jnit  in  operation  hy  a  Frenclinian  named  Navarre,  and,  after  beiiiir 
concealed  by  tiio  latter  for  some  time,  was  enablftl  to  make  liis 

escape.     For   tiiis  service,  the   Ottawas   granted  to  the    Navarre 

family  eight  liiin(b-ed  acres  of  choice  land  at  the  moutli  of  the 
Maumec  river,  on  wbicli  they  now  live.  Wc  are  indelitcd  for 
these,  and  some  other  particulars,  to  the  politeness  of  a  friend,  who 
received  them  from  Pierre  Navarre,  grandson  of  tlie  man  who 
rescued  'I'isson. 

Waskonoket,  A  cloud  far  ojf,  the  oidy  surviving  son  of  'ri.s.son, 
■was  dwelling  on  the  reserve  land  of  bis  triln',  on  Maumce  bay,  at 
the  moutli  of  tiie  river  of  tliat  name,  a  few  years  ago.  llis  mother 
vas  a  French  half-breed,  and  he  exliibited  in  bis  counten:ince  and 
complexion  strong  indications  of  the  lOuropean  IjJood  which  ran  in 
his  veins.  He  was  five  feet  nine  inches  in  heiglit,  erect,  and  well 
niadi'  fur  action  or  fatigiu',  witli  a  round  bodv,  and  full  chest.  His 
forehead  was  large,  and  inclining  backward,  Ids  nose  straight,  but 

■  rather  broad,  his  (>yes  a  dark  gray,  and  liis  lips  prominent.  Ho 
was  allalilc,  court(^ous,  and  hospitalile  in  his  intcrcour.sc!  with  the 
whites,  but  dignified,  firm,  and  somewhat  reserved  in  bis  manners 
towards  his  <nvn  people,  l»v  w  hom  be  was  mueli  Ix'loM'd,  and  over 
whom  be  maintained  a  strict  rule.  \\  lien  the  gi-vi'rnment  pur- 
chased tli(>  lands  of  this  baud  of  the  Ottawas,  with  a  vi(;w  to  their 
removal  to  the  west,  he  received  twenty-five  huiulred  dollars  ibr 
his  proportion,  after  which  he  became  profuse  in  his  expenditures. 
He  had  two  wives,  who  lived  totrether  in  perfi'ct  harmony.  Our 
intelligent  corn^spoiideiit  adds,  "  He,  and  this  braneh  of  the  tribe, 
have  moved  over  the  Missi.ssippi,  to  the  lauds  appropriated  for  them 
by  the  government.  ^Mien  about  leaving  his  inheritance,  he  ap- 
peareil  sometimes  tliouLrbtful,  but  neither  expressed  hope,  nor  joy, 
nor  regret.  Near  the  time  of  his  (!e|)ar1ure,  I  oliserved  him  stand- 
ing in  the  ]iviiicip;il  street  of  the  tow  u  we  liad  laid  out  on  a  part  of 
their  council-grniiud  and  iuirial-pl.ice,  with  his  .arms  folded  on  his 


KAN  A  I' I  MA. 


26:} 


breast,  lookinj^  on  the  liiiid,  tlu;  river,  and  tlio  ha}-,  willi  ihat  deep 
composure  of  foutures  wliicli  tlio  Indian  so  comnionly  preserves, 
hnt  wliich  is  so  diflieult  to  describe,  for  the  closest  ohserver  conld 
not  discover  in  his  countenance  the  indicalion  of  a  siny;lu  passion 
that  moved  in  his  breast." 

The  larger  portion  of  the  Ottawas  dwell  in  the  province  of 
Upper  Canada.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  lictwcen  the 
United  States  and  Great  Britain,  the  Canadian  Ottawas  joined  the 
]?rilish,  and  were  received  inio  service,  and  thev  retpiired  the 
bands  residiuLf  within  the  American  i)0un{Iaries  to  repair  to  the 
same  standard.  The  latter  <rave  an  evasive  answer;  an<l  shortly 
after  sent  a  mc.ssa<fe  to  General  Hull,  oirerin<j;'  1o  lij^lit  und  r  his 
command,  if  he  would  engage  to  protect  them  from  the  Canadian 
tribes.  The  General,  in  pursuance  of  the  liumane  policy  adopted 
by  the  American  government,  informed  them  that  he  did  not 
require  their  as.sistance,  and  iidvi.sod  them  to  remain  peaceably  at 
home,  witliout  embroiling  themselves  in  i\  war  in  which  they  had 
no  interest.  But  neutrality  is  by  no  means  a  condition  suited  to  the 
Indian  taste;  and  the  ('anadian  tribes,  on  the  defeat  of  General 
Hull,  compelled  their  American  friends  to  join  them.  They  were, 
however,  not  very  active ;  they  liad  no  chief  of  any  energy  to 
lead  them,  and  little  relish  for  the  Ihilisli  service.  Tisson  died 
by  poison,  administereil  by  some  of  his  trii)e,  in  the  gratification 
of  revenge  or  jealousy,  and  was  buried  on  the  oast  bank  of  the 
Maumee.  in  sight  of  llu;  [)resent  town  of  IManliattau,  in  Ohio. 

'I"he  suiijeet  of  this  sketch,  Kanapinia,  or  Our  ir/io  is  talLal  of,  is 
llie  chief  of  another  branch  of  tin;  Ottawas,  who  are  settled  at 
liArhre  Croc/ie,  in  Michigan,  about  forty  miles  south  of  Michili- 
mackinac.  lie  is  otiierwise  called  Augustin  llamelin,  Jr.  He 
was  born  at  the  ])lace  of  his  present  resi<ience.  on  the  1-th  ol  July, 
ISl.'j.  In  IS'Ji),  he  was  .sent  to  Cincinnati,  in  company  with  a 
younger  brother,  named  Maccoda  Bimiasee,  The  lihirkbird,  to  be 
educated  at  the  Catholic  seminary  at  tiiat  place.  Tiie}'  remained 
34 


'JM 


BIOGRAPHY. 


liero  tliroe  yniirs,  not  makiiijr  any  reiniii'kal)lo  proifross,  timt  we  can 
learn,  Init  still  rocciviiijf  instruction  witli  a  (Icirrci!  of  prolit  wliicli 
('ni'()iiraij;('(l    tiio    benevolent    persons    wlio    hud    undertaken    tlieir 


('(jneation,  to  persevere  in   their  yciieroiis  design. 


ina])inui  was 


said  to  he  [\\v  more  sprightly  ol"  the  two,  but  the  hrother  waa 
jirol)al)ly  the  better  scliolar.  They  both  exhibited  much  resllcNs- 
ness  under  the  conlineinent  of  the  school,  and  a  decided  Ibndness 
for  athletic  exercises.  They  loved  the  open  air;  when  the.  sun 
shone  they  eouid  scarcely  i)e  restrained  from  wanderiiii,'  oil"  to  llie 
romantic  hills  wiiich  siirroiiml   this   lieautil'nl   eitv  ;    and   wlien   it 


(I,    however    hard,   tiiev   deliirlited    to    throw   o 


If  ti 


raine 

irarments,  and  ex  nose  tlieniselves  to  the  falliiiir  sliowers. 


leir    none 


per 


It  lias  been  a  favorite  iiroject  with  the  Itoman  Catholic  Alission- 


arics,  to  rear  up  a  native  priesthood 


ainoiiu'  tlu!  .American  Indians, 


uul  thev  liave  taken  tn'e  it  nains  to  induce  some  of  tlicir  convcrt.s 


to  lie  eilni'ate( 


fnr  tl 


e  liolv  oMlCi 


\]\ 


It  seems  stranire  tiiat  so  rational 
a  ])roiei't,  and  one  wiiieh  wmild  ap|i(  ar  tn  |)romise  tiie  most  bene- 
ficent results,  should  have  entirely  failed,  cspe<Mally  when  under- 
taken l)y  a  church  of  sucii  ample  means,  and   persevering  .sjjirit — 


>' 


et  it  is  a  fact,  that  not  a  single  individual  of  this  race  in  North 


America,  amoii'.r  the  many  who  have  been  educated,  and  the  still 
larger  nuniljcr  who  have  iieeii  converted  to  Christianity,  has  ever 
become;  a  minister  <if  the  Liospel. 

Kana|)ima  and  his  brother  were  of  the  nnmbi>r  upon  whom  this 
experiini'iit  was  tried,  and  they  w(>ro  aeconlingly  seal  to  Koine  in 
I8:3'i,  to  ])riis(ciite   tlieir  studies  in   the   Propaganda   V'h\o.     After 


remauung    there  about    two    vears. 


M 


iccoda 


H 


iiinasee    i 


lied. 


aiK 


Kanapiiiia  immediately  afterwards  returiird  to  this  <'ouiitiv,  became 
the  (diief  of  his  trili(\  and  resumed  tlu^  costume  and  liaiiits  of  his 
people.     His    manners    have    much    of    the    case    and     poli.sh   of 


civil 


lite 


l)Ut 


his   feeliniis,   his  allectioi 


IS,  and  his  opinions  hav< 


resunuid  their    nati\e  channels.     In    the    latter    part  of   ISUo,  lie 
conducted  a  parlv  of  his  tribe  to  Washington  city,  and  was  one 


KA  NAP  IMA. 


265 


of  those  who  were  spi-cially  iippuiiitcHl  by  tho  OUavvas  lo  iiiukc  a 
treaty. 

The  aH'cctiii^f  circuinstanco  of  tlic  dciitli  of  tlio  yoim^f  Ottawa 
Btiideiit  at  Uoiiic,  lias  hcoii  roiiimoiiioratcd  in  the;  followiiiy  beauti- 
ful lilies  by  the  Ilev.  Eduarcl  J'liicill,  of  Ciiiciiinali. 


ON  THF-:  DEATH  OF  MACCODA  BINNASKK,  AT  ROME. 

Till'  morning  breaks.     .See  iiuw  the  glorious  .sun, 
Slow  wheeling  from  the  .sea,  new  lustre  sheds 
O'er  tlie  soft  climes  of  Italy  !     'I'lic  flower 
That  kept  its  perfume  through  the  dewy  nigiit, 
Now  breathes  it  forth  again.     Hill,  \    le,  and  grove, 
Chid  in  rich  verdure,  bloom,  and  from  the  rock 
The  joyful  Wiiters  leiip.     Oh!   meet  it  is 
Tiiat  thou,  hiiperiul  Kome,  should  lilt  thy  head, 
Deeked  with  the  triple  crown,  when  cloudless  skies 
And  lands,  rejoicing  in  the  summer  sun. 
Rich  blessings  yield. 

Hut  there  is  grief  to-<iay; 
A  voice  is  heard  within  thy  marble  walls, 
A  voice  lamenting  for  the  youthful  ilead  ; 
For  o'er  the  relics  of  her  lore.st  boy 
The  "Mother  of  dead  Empires"  weeps.     And  lo  I 
Clad  in  white  robes,  tiie  long  jjrocession  moves  ; 
Yiiuths  throng  around  the  bier,  and  high  in  front, 
Star  of  our  hopes!  the  glorious  cross  is  reared, 
Triumphant  sign!     The  low  sweet  voice  of  prayer, 
Flowing  spontaneous  from  the  .s])iril's  depths. 
Pours  its  rich  tones,  and  now  the  requiem  swells, 
Now  dies  upon  the  ear. 

But  there  is  one 
Who  stands  beside  the  grave,  and,  though  no  tear 
Dims  his  dark  eye,  yet  does  his  spirit  weep. 


2(10  BlUURAl'llY. 

VVitli  Ipoaliiiii  liciirt  lit;  ^'ii/cs  on  tlic  spot 
VVhtTL'  liis  young  ('(iiiiiiidt'  shall  lurfViT  ri'Sl ; 
For  the}-  tiigi'lhcr  left  tlit-ir  foivsl  liome, 
I.I'd  oil  li)'  liiiii,  uliii  In  llicir  llillicis  iirciii'lii'd 
(ilad  tidings  of  gii'iil  joy,  llit'  lioly  niiin, 
VVlio  .slfi'ji.s  iK'ncatli  llic  .soil  his  labors  lik'ssod, 
I  low  must  the  s|iirit  mourn,  thu  hosoni  hi'iive, 
()|'  thiit  iohi'  Indian  liov  I     No  tongue  eaii  s|/caU 
The  utxuuts  ol'  his  trilie,  and,  as  he  bends, 
In  inclanclioly  mood,  aiiove  the  di'ad, 
liiiagiiiatioii  rloihcs  his  learl'iil  thoughts 
In  rude  hut  plaintive  cadences : 

'•Soft  he  111}'  brother's  slecj) ! 
At  Nature's  call  the  cypress  here  shall  wave, 
Tlie  wailing  winds  lament — above  the  grave 
'I'lii'  drwy  night  shall  weep. 

"And  he  thou  leavest  forlorn, 
Oh  '  he  shall  come  to  shade  thy  bed  with  moss, 
To  plant,  what  thou  didst  love,  the  mystic  cro!>fci 
To  hope,  to  pray,  to  mourn. 

"  No  marble  here  shall  rise  ; 
But  o'er  thy  grave  I'll  teach  the  forest  tree 
To  lift  its  glorious  head,  and  point  to  thee, 
Rejoicing  in  llie  skies: 

"  And  when  it  feels  the  bree/e, 
I'll  think  thy  spirit  wakes  the  gentle  sound; 
Such  was  nur  father's  thought,  when  all  around 
Shook  the  old  forest  leaves. 


"  Dost  thou  forget  tlie  hour 
When  first  we  heard  the  Christian's  hope  revealed. 
When  fearless  warriors  felt  their  bosoms  yield 
Beneath  Almighty  jiowerr 


KANAi'I.M  A. 

"  Then  tnillis  came  o'er  us  fnst 
Wliilst  on  the  iiiDiiiiil  \]\f  Mi.s>i()iiiuj  stoo'!, 
Anil  lliri)ii(r|i  iliL'  list'iiiiii,'  .silence  of  the  wuoil 
His  words,  like  spirits,  piusseil. 

"And  (ill!  liiiiNt  thou  liicn  ,>-|iiiitil, 
We  (oo  Um\  j,'one  to  l-icss  liiu  riiilicrliinil, 
Tip  s|irca(l  rich  stores  iuoiind,  ;iiiil,  U.iwi  m  li.ui  I, 
K;ii'li  holy  hdicir  sliiircd. 

"  Um  licit'  thy  relics  lie, 
Where  Nature's  Ihiwcrs  .shall  bloom  o'er  Nature's  child, 
Where  ruins  stretch,  and  classic  art  lias  )iiled 
Her  monuments  on  hij^h. 

"Sice])  on,  sleep  iiencerul  here; 
The  traveller  from  thy  iiall-e  land  will  claim  this  sjioi, 
And  <Tive  to  thee,  what  kinj-  ;  tombs  have  not, 
The  tribute  of  a  tear!" 


'.'()7 


ciiiri'EWAV  sauAW  and  ciirLD. 


Tin:  liff  (if  till-  Indian  woman,  nndcr  the  inost  iavoralilo  cir- 
ciinislances,  is  imt  of  conlimial  labor  and  unniiti^atrd  hardship. 
'rraiiK'd  lo  scrvilndc  from  infancy,  and  conih'niiud  1o  tiic  jitTfortn- 
anri!  of  thr  most  menial  ollifcs,  tlicv  arc  llic  servants  rather  tiian 
the  (.'ompanitins  of  man.  Hpon  them,  tlierefore,  fall,  witii  pecnliar 
severity,  all  those  \ieissitiides  and  uccidents  of  savai^e  life  whieli 
impose  hardships  anii  privations  beyond  tlios(!  that  i,rdinarih'  attend 


the   stiiti!    of   barba 


rism. 


Sia 


Is   tlie   ca.se   with    the    tril 


)es    w  no 


mil 


iliit 


!i  sterile    reirion.   or   an    inhospitiuile    eliinati',    where    tlu; 


scarcitv  of  food,  and  the  ri<for  of  the  seasons  eidiaiice  the  (lilliciiltv 
of  siii)|M>rtin^f  life,  and  impose  tlie  most  distressi !!;,•■  iiurdeiis  on  the 


weak'M"  .sex. 


'\'\w  Chit 


tl 


th 


ppeway,  or,  as  tney  iironouiice  tlieir  own 
name,  tlie  Ojilnnnj  nalioii,  is  seatli'reil  aloiii,''  the  bleak  sliores  of 
oiir  north-western  lakes,  over  a  rei.noii  of  barren  plains,  or  dreary 
swamps,  which,  dnrin<f  the  irreater  part  of  the  year,  an>  covered 
with  snow  and   ice,  and  arc,  at  all   times,  desolate  and  nniiivitiii>r. 


11 


ere 


the  wretched    Indian    ideans   a    precarious   sii 


bsist 


eiii'e 


at 


on<>  se.-ison  bv  ifatlieriii'j  the  wi 


Id    ri 


ce  in  the   rivers  and   swamps, 


at  another  bv   lisii 


Mil! 


and  a  third    liv   inintiii;^.      l.cinii'   interval^ 


however,  occur  when  these  resources  fail,  and,  wh(>ii  exposed  to 
absolnte  and  hopeless  want,  the  conraufe  of  the  w.arrior  and  the 
iiiifemiitv  of  tlie  hunter  sink  into  despair.  The  woman  wlio, 
diirini;  the  .season  o|'  pjcntv,  was  worn  diuvn  with  the  laiior  o(  fnl- 
jowiiilf  the  hunter  to  the  chase,  carryiiiLT  the  name  and  dressiii<„f 
the  food,   now   becoiii''s  the  jinrveyor  of  tlic   family,  roamintr  the 

CJCII) 


270 


BIOdUAlMIY. 


forest  ill  soarcli  of  borrics,  I)iirrmviii<r  in  tiie  oartli  for  roots,  oi 
c'lisnariiiL!:  llio  lessor  animals.  While  en-jaired  in  these  various 
iliilics,  slie  (liscliarLres,  also,  those  of  tlic  I'loilicr,  anil  travels  over 
Ihi'  icv  |il:iiiis  with  iter  infant  on  her  hack. 


MICANOrV. 


Tin;  narly  Spanish  writers  (icscrilM'  Florida  as  an  cartlilv  para- 
dise, blessed  with  a  delij^hlful  eliniate,  and  ahoiuniinij  in  ihe 
richest  IVtiils  and  llowers  of  liie  tropics.  According'  to  their  ac- 
eoim'  ,  Mm!  jjopnlation  must  liav<'  he(  ii  very  inuni'nius;  hut,  iiu- 
fortu'i"  :,,  there  is  little  trace  to  In-,  fo\ind  of  the  many  trioes 
named  by  them;  and  the  |irol»ai)ility  is,  tlmt  no  depemience  can 
be  placed  upon  any  inforniaiion  derived  from  that  source.  'I'he 
celebratod  o.vpedition  of  I)e  Soto  is  now  believed  to  bo  labulous. 

Tlie  Palanehes,  Maniuses,  and  Kalnosas,  the  ancient  posse.ssors 
ot"  I'Morida — if  s\icli  nations  ever  existed — are  all  extinct,  'riio 
present  race  of  Indians  inlialiitiMi,'  Florida,  settled  there  aliout  a 
century  a<fo,  and  are  called  Seniinoles,  or  Unnaways,  bein<r  fu^- 
tivos  from  various  tribes  residinur  in  the  reiiion  borderiuL,'  on  the 
Mi.ssissippi.  liut  chiellv  iVom  the  lower  (icck  ni.tidu.  'Tliev  were 
tlie  restless,  dis.-jobite,  and  abaiKJiMied  ii:'!i\  uliiii's  who  lied  iVdin 
piniislnnent,  or  wiio  weti'  unwiliini;  to  submit  »  ven  to  tin  loos(! 
restraints  of  tlie  savai^e  community  So  hnvj;  as  l''lorida  belnnLred 
to  a  foreiiiu  pf)W(>r,  the  fui^itives  from  tlu^  Indi.-n  Irilies  resliiin<j; 
williin  tlie  .American  Colonies,  or  St;ite-<,  I'e'Md  the  liouiidary  linn 
a  convenient  ])rotcction,  and  tliillier  lied  the  lawless  and  tli(>  dis- 
all'ccted.  Thev  fnuiid  here  some  small  remnants  of  tlie  Vema.sses, 
(iiic(>  a  powerful  and  warlike  people,  whose  name  occurs  frerpiently 
in  tlie  earlv  hi.storv  of  South  Carolina  and  (Jeor;.Ma.  Kxhaiisted 
bv  fierce  and  lonu;-coiitiiined  wars  with  the  Creek  Indians,  as  well 
as  the  English  colonists,  they  sougiit  refuffe  in  the  hammocks  of 
36  ■••iTl) 


272 


nroGiiAi'HY. 


Florida,  wlicni  tlio  Seiniiuili's  a.ss:iiK'<l,  aiul  nearly  extcriuiii'itetl 
tliem  about  tlic  year  17"il.  'J'lio  .small  iiuinljcr  who  survived, 
bcranio  slaves  to  tlin  conquerors,  and  were  liually  incorporated 
with  them.  I'lie  Yemasses  were  of  a  darker  complexion  than  any 
otlier  Indians,  and  the  Ocldewahaw  triiju  of  the  Seminoles,  wlio 
are  dt\scen(K'(l  from  them,  hi'tray  their  oriy;in  by  tlie  dark  color  of 
their  skins.  The  American  traveller,  Hartrani,  relates  u  tradition 
of  the  Crcek.s,  that  a  beautiful  race  of  Indians,  whose  woi.ien  they 
called  l)au<4hters  nf  iIk!  Sun,  resided  among  the.  lakes  and  swamps 
of  the  great  Oahefanoke  wilderiu'ss,  where  Ihey  'ived  in  miinter- 
rupted  felicity,  upon  islands  of  eternal  verdure,  inaccessil)le  to  the 
appniacli  of  liuman  footstejis.  lie  supposes,  with  much  plausi- 
bilitv,  that  some  little  coh)ny  of  the  fugitive  Yeina.s.ses,  having 
taken  shelter  at  that  retired  spot,  were  seeu  by  a  party  of  Creek 
hunters,  and  that  the  fable  grew  out  of  this  circumst.-'.nce. 

The  wilds  of  Florida  have,  '.or  a  long  series  of  years,  afforded  p. 
harbor  to  the  rimaway  slaves  from  the  Southern  States,  who  were 
eagerly  received  by  the  S(  niinoles,  as  well  on  account  of  the  dis- 
like they  bore  to  tin;  peojile  of  tiie  I'nited  States,  as  from  the  value 
they  placed  on  the  services  of  the  negroes,  who  performed  their 
atxricultural  laliors,  and,  in  conserpuMice  of  their  knowledge  of  the 
arts,  were  u.scful  in  various  ways,  'i'hey  were  kindly  treated,  and 
not  severely  \Mirked :  were  .<oon  admitted  to  a  footing  of  equality, 
and  linally  amalgamated  with  the  Indiaii.s. 

Such  were  the  Seminoles,  who,  so  long  as  Florida  was  a  colony 
of  Spain,  found  protection  there,  while  they  carried  on  a  con.stant 
and  lawless  predatory  war  u))on  the  frontier  settlements  of  the 
United  States,  not  oidy  by  the  conuuission  of  miinlers,  but  more 
frequently  by  enticing  away  the  slaves  and  stealing  the  cattle  of 
the  inliabitants. 

The  hostile  feelings  engendered  by  this  conduct,  were  greatly 
aggravated  by  the  course  pursued  by  the  British  authorities  during 
the  war  which  coinmenced  in   \^\-2.     In  Auunst,   1^11,  a  British 


MICANOPy. 


873 


fleet  •"•  '   'led  in   I'ciisacola  bay,  and  a  body  of  troop-.,  under  tlic 
r(iiiiiii:uid  of  Coloie  1   Nichols,  took  iKwsession  iA'  t!io  ^Jpaiiisli  lo'ls 


Jii 


iraiic 


us  and   St.  Mi   liati,  aini  hoisted  the  Uiitish  llatr.     Oii  tlic 


:}lst  of  tlic  same  uw.  Ii,  he  piil'Usiied  the  infamous  proclaiiiatioa 
•vliicli  rendered  his  i  tnc  notorious  in  our  his.jry,  in  whicii  ho 
ealled  upon  the  per»pli  'f  Louisiana  and  Kentucky  to  throw  olf  tho 
slavish  yoke  of  the  Ui  'd  St.ites,  and  join  his  standard,  eneonraired 
Indians  to  hn'  ihe  unarnicd  inhaliitants  nf  the    frontier, 

the  slaves  I  upon  tlieir  masters.     Arms  and  auununition 


the 


anu 


were  furnished  .imdaiitiy  to  the  Indifuis,  and  a  rc\ianl  of  ten 
dollars  eacii  was  otfereil  lor  the  se;d[)s  of  the  Americans,  without 
distin(;tion  of  ai^e  or  sev.  A  person  e:dled  M'oodiiine,  wlio  was 
announced  as  a  colonel  in  tlie  Hritish  servic(\  was  also  en;f;iij;ei|  in 
tho  same  nefarious  warfare ;  ami  two  spies,  named  Ambrister  ami 
Arbuthnot,  who  were  taken  in  company  with  tlie  Indians,  were 
executed  bv  order  of  Tieneral  Jackson. 


W 


len 


lori( 


la  w.is  afterwards  ceded  to  the  United  States,  and 


the  .\inerii'.an  iicople  beijan  to  settle  witliin  its  limits,  it  will  readily 


lie  conci 


ived    that    no  verv  friindly  dispositions  e.xi.sted  betwt 


[•en 


them  and  the  Seminoles.  Nor  were  our  settlers  free  from  blame 
in  rc'^ard  to  the  hostilities  which  ensued.  A  frontier  is  always 
infested  bv  lawless  men,  and,  however  respectable  the  majority 
mav  be,  a  lew  such  individuals  may  embroil  the  whole  community, 
iiv  acts  which  may  lie  cnudemncil,  but  w  hirh  cannot  be  prevMited. 
The  riirhts  of  the  I''liiiid;i  Indians  were,  in  m my  instances,  vio- 
Icntlv  outra'_red  b\'  unprincipled  s])eeulators  and  loose  marauders, 
who  per])etraled  die  most  scand  dons  frauds  and  cruellies  ujion  that 


mliappy  people. 
In  all  such  casi>s,  there  is  one  inevitable  result- 


hoove  r  may 


be  in  foih,  or  whatever  mav  be  the  character  of  the  ipiarrel,  the 
whites  and  the  Indians  resjicctively  espouse  opposite  sides,  and 
pr  pa.'e  tor  the  la.-.t  rr>ort.  'The  leaders  on  both  sides  may  be 
disjJOsiHl  to  eoiiciliatt,  but  there  are  always  indivnluals  in  either 


274 


BlO'oUAI'HY. 


party,  wlio,  at  smli  a  jiuiotiire,  isci/.i-  tlio  occasion  to  plunder,  and 
to  slicd  blood,  an.!  thus  brin^f  on  a  war.  Tlicrc'  is,  tlicn,  but  oni) 
alternative,  on  llio  part  of  our  ffovcrnnjeiit,  wiiicli  is  to  separate  tlic 
belligerenis  hy  the  removal  oi'  one  party,  an  1  the  Indians,  being 
the  weakest,  must  cmij^rate. 

After  years  of  disturbance,  and  tlie  commission  of  numiierless 
acts  of  violence  by  individuals  on  both  sides,  it  became  necessary 
that  some  measure  should  be  adoptecl  to  prevent  a  jL^eiieral  war; 
and,  on  tlie  ilth  of  May,  IS-i'-i,  (.'olonel  Gadsden,  a  connnissioner 
on  the  ]iarl  of  llie  I  iiited  Slates,  met  the  8enunoles  in  council  at 
a  place  called  Payne's  Landin^^s  and  ell'ceted  a  treaty,  liy  wliiili 
the  Seminoles  ceded  all  their  country  lo  the  United  States,  in 
exchange  for  lands  to  be  assioiied  them  west  of  the  Mississippi; 
pruvideil,  that  on  examination  by  a  committee  of  tlieir  chiefs,  they 
should  approve  the  lands  offered  tliem.  Tiie  cxandnation  was 
made,  and  the  cliiei's,  l)ein<j;  satislieil  witli  the  country,  made  a 
treaty  at  Fort  (iibson,  on  the  '-I^th  of  Marcli,  l^:j:J,  ratifying  the 
former  cession  of  their  lands;  and  on  the  '2:Jd  of  April,  ISiK),  six- 
teen of  their  chiefs  and  sul)-chiefs  entered  into  a  new  agreement, 
ratifvinjr  tiie  former  treaties.  When,  however,  the  government, 
after  years  of  neirotiation,  at  length  determined  to  enforce  the 
removal  nf  tlie  Florida  Indians,  tlie  lander  poition  refused  to  go, 
disa\()wed  the  cession  made  liy  iheir  cimfs,  and  the  late  disastrous 
war  was  the  consequen(;(\ 

Micanoj)y  is,  by  iidierilance,  the  prim-i|)al  chief  or  head  man  of 
all  the  bands  of  Seminoles,  and  is,  by  sonu;  writer.-^,  slvled  king, 
and  l>y  others  governor  of  tjic  ScMuinoles.  VVi'  [irel'er  the  title  of 
cliief,  as  we  do  not  find  in  the  ojlice  of  head  man,  any  diil'erenee 
between  tliis  and  any  <»tli<'r  Indian  nation,  nor  do  we  disco\'er  in 
any  of  them  tiie  slighti'si,  resemblani.-e  to  the  state  or  authority  i>f  a 
king.  Tiiose  goifrmnents,  so  far  as  tliey  can  bi!  termeil  such,  are 
military  and  republican,  and  tin;  leader  mingles  with  nis  i>eopl«> 
oil  terms  of  the  luiiit  perfect  efjuality,  except  when  actin*^  ofTicially. 


MICANOPY. 


376 


Kii!!f  I'ii)iio,  \\w  <?ran(lfiitlier  of  Mii'ann|)y,  is  said  to  liuve 
i;staljlisli('(l  and  united  tlio  Soniiiiolcs  as  a  iicnplc.  He  married  a 
^'^'^llllssl■e  woman,  liis  slave,  who  was  tiie  motiior  of  tiie  late  ciiicf, 
I'ayiic,  wlioso  nriifin  from  the  Vcmassce  stocli  was  distinctly  marked 
in  tiie  (larkrcss  of  his  complexion.  Micanopy  also  is  very  black. 
'I'iie.  elder  Kin<^  Payne  lived  to  the  aL'e  of  nearly  one  hundred 
years.  The  won!  "Micco,"'  which  wt;  find  coni|it)nii<led  into  many 
of  the  Creek  and  Seminole!  names,  means  cliitj]  and  Mirco-fiopi/  is 
/nad  rJiii'f.  He  is  also  called  "th(>  (lovernor,"'  and  the  "  Pond 
Governor.  " 

Mi("uiopv  \^■as  ainnnu^  tiioso  who,  from  the  he'^iuninu;,  opposed 
tlie  \iews  of  our  j.jovernment  in  ri'hilion  to  the  removal  of  his 
peopli!.  H(!  iloes  not  appear  to  have  bi^en  a  man  of  much  activity 
or  enterprise,  !)ut,  in  ri'ijard  to  this  matter,  lie  remained  firm,  in  * 
consecpience,  perhaps,  of  tht!  intluence  of  .Vssiola  and  others,  who 
eonstaiitlv  ur<4ed  liim  lo  adhere  to  his  purpose. 

At  a  council  with  the  Seminole  chiefs,  held  liy  (ienend  Wiley 
'riiompson  on  the  'J-Jd  of  April,  \<^^'^,  Micanojiy  boldly  opposed 
the  agreements  of  the  aj^ent,  and  objected  to  the  removal  of  his 
])eo]ile.  TIk!  rie.xt  dav,  when  the  council  reassembled,  lii^  was 
ai).sent,  and  General  I'liompson  was  informed  that  the  chief  was 
sick;  but  this  was  considered  as  a  subterfui^e,  and  as  an  indication 
that  he  was  not  disposed  to  listen  to  any  further  discussion  of  a 
qnestion  which  lie  had  settled  in  his  own  mind.  A  veteran 
chief,  poke  I.uste  llajo,  who  had  always  a<lvocate<l  the  removal, 
and  n^mained  fu'tn  in  his  attachment  to  the  I'nited  States,  de- 
nounced all  who  opposed  the  execution  of  the  treaty.  During 
tills  speech,  he  was  freipiently  iii1erruj)tcd  by  those  who  liekl 
dillerent  views — a  circumstance  which  shows  that  >'reat  e.xcite- 
ment  must  have  existed  amonij  them — for  thi'  liidiaiis  are  re- 
iiiarkal)le  for  tlieir  decorum  in  council,  ami  I'or  the  patience  with 
which  thev  listen  to  the  speakers,  to  interrupt  whom  is  considered 
a  llagrant  breach  of  good  manners.     The  writer  of  "  The  War  la 


~l 


276 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Florida,  by  a  lute  StufT  Ollicir,  "  I'idiu  wliose  pages  we  coni[»ilu  tlieso 
facts,  adds: 

"III  coiisi'(|iicii('(.<  of  llif  l)(il(l  and  manly  di'daratUui  i)f  tlio  cliitf 
Foko  Liisto  liajo,  fi^lil  of  tlie  princijial  cliiifs  of  tlic  nation,  anil 
eight  sub-chiefs,  advanced  and  signed  the  article,  (allirniing  the 
treaty  of  I'ayni^'s  Landing.)  Five  of  the  principal  chiefs  remained 
opposed,  vi/:  .Micanopy,  Jnm|>er,  llolato  Mieo,  Cou  llnjo,  and 
Arpincki.  The  former  cliiet",  as  Ix-fore  minlioned,  was  absent, 
and,  as  tiie  agent  knew  that  Micanopy  controlleil  the  movements 
•if  many  of  them,  he  di'manded  of  jumper,  "whetlier  Micaiio()y 
intended  to  aljide  by  the  treaty  or  not .'"  And  when  Jumper  linally 
eonli'ssed  that  he  was  authorizeil  to  .-ay  that  Micanopy  ilid  not,  the 
a;'". it  promptly  declared,  that  he.  no  longer  considered  .Micanoj)y 
as  cliief ;  tliat  his  name  sliould  be  struck  from  tlic  council  of  the 
nation  ;  that  lie  shoidd  treat  all  who  acted  like  him  in  the  like  man- 
ner;  and  that  he  woidd  neither  acknowledge  nor  do  business  witli 
him,  nor  with  any  otlier  as  a  chief,  who  did  nut  honestly  comply 
with  the  leriiis  of  his  eiigag(^ments;  that  tlie  door  was,  however, 
still  open  to  them,  if  tliey  wished  to  act  honestly,  in  conse(pience 
of  this,  the  names  of  the  above  five  op|)osing  <liiefs  wen;  struck 
from  the  council  of  the  nation.'' 

We  are  happy  1o  be  alile  to  record  the  .'act,  that  this  high-handed 
and  unjustifiable  measure  of  the  ai^eiit  was  promptly  rebuked  by 
the  President,  General  Jack.so'i,  in  a  letter  written  by  Governor 
Cass,  Secretary  of  War,  who  treats  it  as  follows: 

"It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  enter  miicii  into  detail  on  the 
subject  presented  by  you.  I  understand,  from  Mr.  Harris,  that  ho 
communicated  to  you  the  President's  views  on  the  subject  of  the 
chiefs  whom  you  declined  to  recognize  in  all  questions  connected 
with  the  removal  of  the  Seminoles.  I  under.staiid  that  the  Presi- 
dent deemed  this  course  an  incorrect  one;  and  it  seems  to  me 
obviously  liable  to  strong  objections.  We  do  not  assume  the  right 
ot  determining  who  shall  be  the  chiefs  in  the  various  Indian  tribes; 


MICANOPY. 


277 


this  is  a  matter  of  iiitttriuil  policy  wliicli  imist  necessjinl}  U'  lut't  to 
tlu'instilvi's.  And  if,  w  Inu  wo  iiuvt,'  a  ^ravo  mutter  for  udjustinent 
with  one  of  till'  triltfs,  wc  uudiTtiiko  to  say  //  s/tult  ho  dutorniined 
by  a  partifiilur  class  of  individuals,  wo  ccitaiidy  should  reader 
ourselves  obnoxious  to  cciisurc.  It  appears  to  luo  the  proper 
course,  U|iou  iinportaut  (jueslious,  to  treat  directly  with  the  tribe 
itself;  and  if  they  depute  their  chiefs,  or  any  other  individual,  to 
act  for  tliem,  we  must  ( illier  recognize  s\ich  authority,  or  abandon 
the  object  in  view." 

Micanopy  does  not  seem  to  have  distinifuished  himself  as  n 
warrior  in  the  late  contest.  He  is  said  to  be  an  unwieldy  man  in 
his  person,  ami  inactive  in  his  habits,  lie  commanded,  however, 
in  the  disastrous  defeat  and  massacre  of  the  gallant  party  under  tlie 
command  of  Major  Dado 

AfliT  a  series  of  outrages  on  the  part  of  the  Seminoles,  and 
vari'jus  attem[)ts  at  conciliation  iiy  our  government  :uid  the 
friendly  chiids,  an  open  and  general  war  broke  out  in  Novemljcr, 
iHlin. 

On  tlie  "J  Itli  of  December,  l^Uo,  Major  Dade's  command  maiciird 
from  Fnrt  Brooke  for  Fort  King.  It  consisted  of  ('aptain  Gardi- 
ner's comjiany  C.  Ud  Artillerv,  and  Caj>tain  Frazer's  companv  ]}. 
:td  Infantry,  of  fifty  men  each,  with  eight  ollici'rs,  having  with 
tliem  ten  days'  provisions,  and  a  light  si.x-pounder.  A  nolilo 
display  of  disinterested  gallantry  atteiuled  the  setting  out  of  this 
party.  Major  Dade  was  iicil  originally  detailed  for  duty  \Mtli  this 
detachment,  to  make,  up  which,  his  own  company  had  in'eii  trans- 
ferred to  those  of  Gardiner  and  Frazer.  The  st.-rvice  was  coii- 
sidereil  dangerous  in  tlie,  liigiiest  degree,  as  it  was  probable  the 
Indians  would  attem)ii  to  cut  oil'  the  detachment,  'i'lie  wife  of 
Captain  Gardiner  was  exceedingly  ill  at  Fort  Brooke,  and  it  was 
feared  that  if  he  then  left  her,  she  would  die;  but  he  could  not  be 
prevailed  uj)on  to  reliiupiish  the  command,  and,  after  making  vwiy 
preparation,  mounted  liis  horse,  and  placed  hin.self  at    the  head 


278 


BIOGRAPHY. 


of  lliL'  j>iiity.  At  tliis  iiioiiii'iit,  Major  Dado  voluntarily  projiosud  to 
take  lli(  placi'  ol'  liis  iVinid  Captain  Gardiiior,  and  Major  Jlclton, 
tlio  coniniaiidm^f  olIiciT,  acrcjited  the  ollrr.  Dade  niountfd  ids 
liorso  and  took  tlir  coniiMaiid,  (.Jardini  r  rt'lircd  to  llio  sirk  idiand)er 
ol"  Ids  will',  and  tiio  j^'aliant  lilUu  party  niovcd  oil'.  Jlcloro  tlicy 
had  jirococdt'd  far,  Captain  (.iardincr  ascertained  thai  a  transjiort 
Kcliooner  was  on  tin;  evt;  of  departure  for  Key  U  est,  where  Mrs. 
Gardiner's  father  and  iddldren  then  were,  and  she  consented  to  ^'o 
there  and  K^avo  him  at  lil)erly  to  join  ids  company.  Slie  wius  ac- 
eiirdinyly  placed  on  hoard  the  transport,  and  he  resumed  his  post 
in  tlie  ill-i'ati'd  expedition,  while  Didc,  unwillinjr  now  to  give  up 
the  cdiiiiiiaml,  ri'iaaiiuMJ  with  it. 

A  series  of  untoward  circimistances  attemled  tlu!  ni;u'ch.  The 
oxen  that  ilrew  tlie  fuld-piece  broke  down  early  in  tlie  fir.st 
day,  and  tlie  foninian<i  was  oi)liged  to  halt  until  horses  coukl  he 
procured  from  I'orl  IJmoke.  The  next  day,  on  readunjr  the  Uill.s- 
linn)ui,di  river,  tliey  found  the  hridj^fu  destroyed,  and  were  ol)lii,'ed 
to  halt  until  the  ensuiai^f  moriMn'.r,  when  tht;y  cro.ssed,  hut  with 
.■•uch  dilliculty  and  ilelay  tliat  they  made  but  six  miles  that  day. 
On  the  liTlh,  they  crossed  tlie  JJiy  and  Little  Ouilldacoocheo 
rivers,  ruid  encamped  tiiree  miles  north  of  the  latter.  Aware  that 
ihe  enemy  were  watching  his  movements,  Major  Dado  had,  during 
all  this  lime,  adojilcd  every  j)recauti')n  that  military  skill  suggested, 
carefully  avoiding  surj)rise  while  marching,  and  throwing  u|i  a 
small  hrea.stwork  every  night.  On  the  2sth,  they  marehed  early, 
and  had  proceedi'd  only  aliout  lour  miles,  when  tin;  advanced 
guard  passed  through  a  plat  of  liigli  grass,  and  had  reached  a  thick 
elu.ster  of  palmetloes,  where  a  heavy  and  destructive  fire  was 
opened  upon  them,  by  an  enemy  concealed  at  a  distanco  of  fifty  or 
sixty  yards.  The  column  was  thrown  into  confusion  by  this  sud- 
den attack,  but  they  were  (piickly  rallied,  and,  as  the  enemy  were 
ob.served  to  ri.se  in  front,  a  charge  was  made,  by  which  the  Indians 
were  dislodged,  but  not  until  knives,  bayonets,  and  clubbed  muS" 


MICANOPY. 


279 


kets  were  used,  Majnr  D.idf  HII  dead  (ui  tlu!  liisl  liiT,  iiiid  ('iin- 
laiii  (lurdiiirr,  lia\iii^r  dii\cM  liark  ihr  Indians,  Imt.  liiidiip^  tlicv 
wiTt!  yallu'i'iiitf  Inr  jinntliiT  onset,  iilti'iiijitcd  to  thmw  up  a  lirca.st- 
work  of  liiirs.  'I'liis  was  iiol  eircctcd  licluri'  tin-  attack  \\as  rcncwcil. 
'I'lic  Indians,  liiiii^r  rfinlnti'i'd,  and  lia\in^'  stationed  alniiit  a  iinn- 
di'ed  mounted  warriors  on  tlie  opposite  side,  to  cut  olF  retreat, 
ailvanced  to  llie  second  attack,  yejliuif  in  so  territic  a  manner  as 
to  drown  tiie  reports  ot'  the  lire-arms.  'I'lie  lieM-piece  was  now 
useii  with  ell'ect  lor  a  short  time,  i>nt  liu;  enemy,  snrroumiini,'  the 
little  breastwork,  sliot  down  every  man  who  attempted  to  work  tlie 
j^uii,  and  soon  rendered  it  useless,  (lallantly  did  these  heroic  men 
defend  tiiemselves  and  maintain  tlie  liimnr  of  tiieir  lla^  ;  liut,  mcr- 
powercd  liy  nundicrs,  ami  fii^lilini.;  under  e\try  disadvantaife,  tiiey 
fell,  one  by  one,  without  the  prosp(!ct  of  any  eliaiifje  of  fortune 
At  lenLj;lh  the  ammunition  uave  out,  the  Indians  iiroke  into  the 
enclosiu'c,  and  e\erv   man  was  either  killed  or  so  hadiv  \\'ounded 


as  to  1)1! 


ineaiiahle  of  resistance.     The   work  of  iiavoc  done,   the 


dead  were  plumlercd,  and  the  Indians  relrcateil;  then  came  a  party 
of  nt'irroes,  u  ho  de.soatched  and  muldatcd  all  who  showed  .siiins  of 
lite.     Three  persons  only  cscaj)ed  to  tell   the  story  ol  this  dreadful 


massacre 


Mr.  Cohen,   ii 


.f  .M 


I   his    '•  Xolice.s  of   Florida,*"  |.qves  the   t'ollowin^' 

I 


icanopy 


'•T 
d 


description 

^ro.ss  statnn 

is  bloated   anil   cariiuncled,  eyes  heavy  and  d 

like   his   person,     ('oiniiel   (iadsdcii   told    mc, 


le  ( i(.\ernor  is  of  low,   stout,  am 


what  IS  called   lo;.4i;y  in   his  iiio\ements — bis  lace 

and  w  illi  a  .nind 
I'ayne's  Landin^r^ 
after  haviii)^'  (loiihlc  rations,  he  comj)lained  lA'  ^litrri/ii/.  |[e  reminds 
ine  of  the  Inrroes  of  the  Trojan  war,  who  could  eat  u|)  a  whole 
lamb,  or  half  a  calf      lie  owns  a  hundred   uejfroes,  and  a  large 

ip  (ioveriior'  Ins  two  wives, 
•r  a  half  breed  neitn^ss.     She! 


stoe 


one 


k  of  eatlli'  aiii 


liorses. 


'J 


a  V{!ry  pretty  sipiaw,  and   liie 


IS  the  uirliest  ol  all  U'dv  woint 


Hi   reca 


lis  tl 


10  itnaife  o 


f  n 


omnie, 


of  the  Frisktl  Head,  in  i'auMiny's  Koningsmarke. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  Nf.  14580 

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A^ 


ii^-,A^iSuj^.^i/i:  '■]  -4 


OPOTHLE   YOIIOLO. 


The  last  homes  of  the  Creek  Indians,  on  the  eastern  side  of  the 
Mississippi,  was  in   Oieorgia  and    Ahibaina,  from  whicli,  in  con- 
formity with  tlie  provisions  of  a  treaty  witli  tlie  United  States, 
made  in  1S32,  they  emigrated  in  1530-7.     Tliey  were  divided  inio 
what  were  called  the  Upper  and  Lower  towns,  the  former  of  whicli 
were  situated  upon  the  banks,  and  among  tlie  tributaries  of  the 
Tallapoosa  and  Coosa  rivers.     Over  these  towns  the  Big  Warrior 
was  chief,  urder  whom  Opotlde  Yoholo  held  the  rank  of  principal 
coimcillor,  or  speaker  of  the  councils,  over  which  he  presided  with 
great  dignity.     His  influence  was  so  great  tint  the  questions  sub- 
mitted to  the  council  were  generally  decided  according  to  his  will, 
for  the  Indians,  considering  him  as  the  organ  of  tlieir  chief,  sup- 
posed he  only  spoke  as  he  was  directed.     The  great  council-house 
of  the  Upper  towns  was  at  Tuckabatchee,  where  the  Big  Warrior 
resided,  and  near  which  was  the  rcsiihMire  (,f  Opotlile  Yoholo. 

We  have,  in  the  biography  of  Mcintosh,  pointed  out  the  singu- 
larly embarrassing  circumstances  in  which  the  Creeks  were  placed 
at  this  time.  The  United  States,  hy  a  compact  made  with  Georgia, 
wh.-n  the  limits  of  that  stale  comprehended  the  territory  which' 
afterwards  was  formed  into  the  state  of  Alabama,  became  bound  to 
remove  all  the  Indians  within  tlie  boundaries  of  Georgia,  whenever 
it  could  lie  done  peaceably.  To  comply  with  this  engagement, 
and  to  fulfil  a  benevolent  policy,  having  for  its  object  tlie  civiliza 
tion  of  the  Indians,  and  tlie  securing  to  them  a  permanent  home, 
the  United  States  set  ap.-irt  a  fertile  and  extensive  tract  of  wilder 

(2S1) 


2S2 


BIOGKAPIIY. 


iioss,  beyond  the  Missisjsi])))!,  upon  wliicli  they  proposed  to  settle 
the  several  remnants  of  tiibes  that  still  lingered  within  the  statcjs, 
and  were  becoming  demoralized  and  destroyed  by  contact  witii  a 
race  with  w  liom  they  could  not  amalgamate.  Uuluippily,  some  ol' 
the  tribes  were  not  willing  to  emigrat(;,  and  among  them  the  Creeks. 
The  pledge  of  the  government  to  remove  them,  although  qualilied 
by  llie  condition,  "  when  it  could  be  ]),'aceably  elfected,"  was  }  el 
to  bo  at  some  time  redeemed;  and  while  the  Creeks  were,  on  the 
one  hand,  aver.se  to  the  removal,  the  more  intelligent  among  them 
saw,  upon  the  otlier,  that  the  existence  of  such  a  compact  doomed 
them  to  an  exile,  which,  although  it  might  be  delayed,  could  not 
lie  avoided.  Year  after  3ear  the  govermneut,  to  redeem  its  ])romise 
to  Georgia,  sent  commissioners  to  ])urchaLe  from  the  Creeks  their 
lands,  who  as  often  returned  unsuccessful,  or  succeeded  only  in  part, 
while  the  inhabitants  of  Georgia  and  Alabama  discovered  a  dispo- 
sition to  resort  to  more  urgent  measures,  and  frecjuent  collisions 
between  the  white  [)eople  and  tlie  Indians  were  the  unliappy  conse- 
quence. The  Creoles  themselves  became  divided;  jMcIntosli,  the 
head  chief  of  the  Lower  towns,  advocating  the  removal,  and  the  Big 
Warrior,  who  ruled  the  Upper  towns,  opposiug  that  measure.  The 
Little  I'rince,  an  aged  chief,  who  ruled  the  whole  nation,  was  will- 
ing to  leave  the  question  to  those  whom  it  immediately  concerned. 
In  1S"J4,  Messrs.  Campbell  and  .Merriwether  were  sent  by  the 
government  to  effect  this  long-desired  purchase,  and  held  an  inef- 
fectual treaty  at  a  place  called  the  Broken  Arrow,  where  they 
found  a  i'cw  of  the  chiefs  willing  to  yield  to  their  views,  but  others 
so  decidi'dly  oppo.sed,  that,  forgetting  the  grave  and  decorous  cour- 
tesy which  usually  prevails  in  their  solemn  councils,  they  would 
give  no  other  answer  than  a  sullen,  but  emphatic  "  No."  The 
deputv  of  the  Big  Warrior  said,  that  he  would  not  take  a  liouse- 
full  of  money  for  his  interest  in  the  land,  and  that  Uiis  was  his  final 
answer.  Failing  in  tlieir  object,  the  commi.ssioners  called  another 
council,  to  meet  at  the  Indian  Springs,  in  February,  1S25. 


OPOTHLK    YOHOLO. 


2S3 


Previous  to  tliis  j)cri()d,  litllc  is  kiinwii  of  iho  cljamctt'r  nf  Opothlc 
Voliolo,  cxiH'pl  that  Ik:  was  cunsidcri'd,  in  early  lilc,  a  youlli  ol'  pro- 
iiiiso.  The;  lirst  public  service  in  which  lie  distinguished  luiuseir, 
us  ut  the  council  at  the  Indian  !>})rings,  to  w  hieh  lie  was  sent  to 
counteract  the  inllueiice  ol'  Mcintosh,  and  to  remonstrate  uith  him 
against  selling  any  part  of  the  Creek  country.  It  is  said  that  lie 
executed  this  mission  with  great  lidelity  ;  he  pursued  his  oliject 
with  unyielding  (irmness,  and  his  remoiist ranees  were  marked  witii 
energy  and  eloquence. 

The  substance  of  bis  address  to  tiie  commissioners  was  as  fol- 
lows: "We  met  you  at  the  Broken  Arrow,  and  then  told  you  we 
had  no  land  to  sell.  I  heard  then  of  no  claim  against  our  nation, 
nor  have  I  heanl  of  any  since.  A\'e  have  met  you  here  ujkmi  a  very 
short  notice,  and  I  do  not  think  the  chiefs  present  have  anv 
authority  to  treat.  General  Mcintosh  knows  that  we  are  liovmd 
l)y  our  laws,  and  that  what  is  not  done  in  ])ublic  council,  is  not 
!)indiiig.  Can  tlic  council  be  ])ublic  if  all  the  chiefs  have  not  had 
notice,  and  man}-  of  them  are  abse;it?  I  am,  therefore,  under  the 
necessity  of  repealing  what  I  told  you  at  the  Broken  Arrow,  that 
we  have  no  lands  to  sell.  No  part  of  our  lands  can  be  sold  cxce[)t 
in  full  council,  and  by  consent  of  the  whole  nation.  This  is  not  a 
full  council;  there  are  but  fvw  here  from  the  Upper  towns,  and  of 
the  chiefs  of  tlie  Lower  tow  ns  many  are  absent.  From  what  you 
told  lis  yesterday,  I  am  inclined  to  think  it  would  be  best  for  us  to 
remove;  l)ut  we  must  have  time  to  think  of  it,  and  to  consult  our 
jieople.  Should  the  chiefs  now  here  undertake  to  sell  our  country, 
it  woulil  cause  dissension  and  ill  l)loo(l  among  ourselves,  for  there 
are  manv  wlio  do  not  know  that  we  have  been  invited  hiire  for  that 
purjiose,  and  many  who  would  not  consent  to  it,  if  the.  wen;  here. 
I  liave  received  a  messaLTi;  from  my  head  chief,  the  Big  ^\"arri^)r, 
directing  me  to  listen  to  what  the  commissioners  have  to  say — to 
meet  :\n(!  part  with  them  in  peace — but  not  to  sell  any  land.  I  am 
also  instructed  to  invite  vou  to  meet  us  at  the  Broken  Arrow  three 


•294 


BIOGRAPHY. 


months  lionco,  when  a  trcuty  may  be  finally  made.  I  gave  you 
but  one  .speech  at  the  Broken  Arrow,  and  I  irivc  you  but  one  here. 
To-morrow  I  return  home,  I  liave  delivered  the  mcssjige  of  my 
head  chief  and  have  no  more  to  say.  I  sliall  listen  to  whatever 
you  may  ttiiidt  proper  to  communicate,  but  shall  make  no  further 
answer." 

This  speech  was  delivered  with  the  calmness  and  dignity  becom- 
ing the  occasion;  respeclful  to  the  commi.ssioners,  yet  decisive  in 
tone  and  langunge,  it  was  the  refusal  of  a  little  band  of  untutored 
men,  confident  of  right,  to  the  demand  of  a  powerful  nation.  All 
that  was  fiery  and  alarming  was  reserved  for  Mcintosh,  who  was 
supposed  to  have  nlready  promised  to  accede  to  the  proposed  trans- 
fer. Turning  to  that  ill-fated  chief,  with  an  eye  full  of  meaning, 
he  extended  his  arm  towards  him,  and  in  the  low,  bitter  tone  of 
prophetic  menace,  he  added,  "  I  hare  told  you  your  fate  if  you  sign 
that  paper.  I  once  more  say,  leirare!"  On  the  following  morning, 
he  left  the  Indian  Springs,  and  returned  to  Tuckabatchee.  IMcIn- 
to.sh  persisted  in  his  determination  to  sell  the  country,  signed  the 
treaty,  and,  as  we  have  narrated  in  another  place,  paid  the  penalty 
with  his  life. 

Arrangements  were  soon  I'fter  made  to  scud  a  deputation  of 
chiefs  to  Washington,  to  protest,  in  the  name  of  the  Creek  nation, 
against  the  execution  of  the  treaty  of  the  Indian  Springs,  and  to 
conclude  one  which  should  be  more  acceptable.  Ojiothle  Yohclo 
was  placed  at  the  head  of  this  deputation,  and  proceeded  with  his 
colleagues  to  the  seat  of  government.  In  all  the  negotiations  con- 
nected with  that  exciting  occasion,  he  conducted  himself  Mith 
great  dignity  and  firmness,  and  displayed  talents  of  a  superior 
order.  lie  was  cool,  cautious,  and  sagacious;  and  with  a  tact 
which  woidd  have  done  credit  1o  a  more  refined  dijjlomatist,  re- 
fused to  enter  into  any  negotiation  until  the  offensive  treaty  of  the 
Indian  Springs  should  1)C  annulled.  The  executive  being  satisfied 
that  the  treaty  had  not  been  made  with  the  consent  of  the  natioTi, 


OPOTHLE   YOHOLO. 


285 


nor  in  accordance  with  its  laws,  but  in  opposition  to  the  one,  and 
in  defiance  of  the  other,  disapproved  of  it,  and  another  was  made 
at  Washington  in  January,  1S'2G,  the  first  article  of  wliicli  declares 
the  treaty  of  tlie  Indian  iSprings  to  Ijc  null  cnid  void.  By  the  same 
compact  the  Creeks  surrendered  all  their  lands  lying  within  the 
chartered  limits  of  Georgia,  except  a  small  strip  on  the  Chatahoo- 
chee,  which  formed  afterwards  a  subject  of  much  dispute.  The 
intention  of  the  parties,  as  declared  and  understood  at  the  time, 
was  to  convey  the  whole  of  the  Creek  country,  but,  in  undertaking 
to  lay  down  boundaries,  from  an  office  map,  wrong  lines  were  as- 
sumed, and  the  Creeks  left  in  possession  of  a  tract,  which  they 
were  afterwards  induced,  by  the  advice  of  indiscreet  friends,  to 
insist  upon  retaining.  It  was  in  reference  to  this  tract  that  a  cor- 
respondence took  place  between  the  executives  of  the  federal  go- 
vernment and  Georgia,  characterized,  on  one  side,  at  least,  by  much 
warmth. 

As  the  great  oljject  of  the  purchase  of  the  Creek  country  was  to 
remove  that  tribe  from  the  vicinity  of  a  people  with  whom  they 
lived  in  constant  contention,  and  from  the  limits  of  a  state  which 
insisted  on  their  departure,  as  of  right,  the  retention  of  a  portion, 
however  .small,  and  whether  eifeeted  by  accident  or  artifice,  de- 
feated alike  the  wishes  of  Georgia  and  the  intentions  of  the  United 
States.  Several  ineffectual  attempts  were  made  to  settle  the  ques- 
tion by  a  further  purchase,  that  should  include  the  v.liole  of  the 
di.sputed  territory;  the  federal  government  adhering  to  its  usual 
conciliating  policy,  and  ])referring  to  buy  again  what  had  been 
already  purchased,  ratlier  than  practise  the  slightest  injustice, 
while  Georgia,  stimulated  by  the  discontent  of  her  citizens,  and 
offended  by  what  she  conceived  an  artful  evasion  on  the  part  of  the 
Creel'iS,  vehemently  urged  a  speedy  decision.  All  these  efforts 
having  failed,  a  special  commission  was  issued  in  1S27,  to  Colonel 
McKennciV,  directing  him,  after  discharging  certain  duties  upon 
the  Upper  Lakes,  to  cro.ss  over  to  the   Mississippi,  descend  thai 


2s() 


lUOfaiAlMIY. 


river,  and  liokl  councils  witli  tlio  Chicitasaws,  Choctaws,  Chero- 
kees,  and  Creeks — and,  if  j)ossil)le,  lo  bring  tliis  iinlKij)])y  contro- 
versy to  a  close,  by  piircliasin;^  the  dis[)uted  tract. 

Fully  a[)])reciating  the  character  of  Opothle  Yoholo,  tlie  first 
object  of  Colonel  McKenney,  on  his  arrival  in  the  Creek  country, 
was  to  conciliate  that  chief,  on  M'iiose  th'cision,  Im  foresaw,  tin; 
result  would  depend.  A  messenger  was  accordingly  dcsj)atched  to 
Opothle  Yoholo,  to  announce  his  arrival,  and  solicit  an  interview 
at  Fort  Mitchell.  That  politic  leader,  understanding  well  the  pur- 
pose of  this  visit  of  the  commissioner  for  Indian  all'airs,  declined 
the  proDosed  meeting  under  llie  pk'a  of  indisposition.  Tiiis  was 
considered  a  subterfuge  to  gain  time  until  the  attendance  of  two 
educated  Cherokees,  v\ho  were  the  secri't  advisers  of  Opothle 
Yoholo,  could  be  procm'cd;  and  anotiier  messenger  was  despatched 
to  inform  him  that  if  he  was  not  well  enough  to  ride  on  horseback, 
a  suitable  conveyance  should  be  provided,  and  that  the  business  to 
bo  discussed  was  of  great  interest  to  him  and  his  people.  In  short, 
he  was  told  emphatically  that  he  must  come.  The  next  day  he 
made  his  apj)earance,  and  entered,  with  ap[)arent  frankness,  upon 
the  subject  of  Colonel  .McKenney's  mission.  In  tiie  interview  of 
that  gentleman  and  Colonel  Crowell,  the  agent,  with  this  chief,  he 
discovered  a  tact  which  the  more  enlightened  might  imitate  with 
advantage,  lie  spoke  of  his  readiness  to  do  whatever  might  be 
most  acceptable  to  his  Great  Father;  and  admitted  that  the  land  iu 
question  was  not  worth  much  to  his  j)eople,  while  it  was  a  bone  of 
contention  between  them  and  Georgia.  In  evidence  of  the  unhappy 
state  of  things  which  exist  d,  and  that  he  deplored,  he  stated,  that 
when  his  people  crossed  the  Chatahoochee,  to  look  after  their  cattle 
or  hogs  that  roamed  in  the  woods,  they  were  sliot  by  white  men, 
against  whom  he  could  have  no  reilress.  lie  had,  therefore,  every 
■  lesire  to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the  President,  Ijut  insisted  that 
he  could  not  sell  the  land  except  in  open  council,  and  by  consent 
)f  the  nation.     He  woidd  most  cheerfidly  do  any  thing  to  promote 


OPOTHLE   YOHOLO. 


287 


peace,  but  he  was  only  an  individual,  unauthorized  to  act  for  the 
nation,  and  unal)lc  to  control  its  decision — and  finally  he  expressed 
ills  belief  that  the  Creeks  would  not  be  willing  to  sell  the  land. 

He  was  told  in  rej)ly,  that  it  was  not  intended  to  make  the  pur- 
chase, except  in  conformity  with  their  laws — that  he  was  sent  for, 
because  he  was  known  to  be  the  friend  of  his  people,  and  of  their 
welfare — and  that  by  advising  them  in  open  council,  where  it  was 
proposed  to  meet  them,  he  could  do  much  towards  satisfying  their 
minds  of  the  justice  and  propriety  of  settling  this  controversy  in 
the  mode  proposed  by  the  go\ernment.  It  would  be  just,  because 
the  intention  of  the  parties  to  the  treaty  at  Washington,  had  been 
to  embrace  all  the  land  of  the  Creeks  within  the  limits  of  Georgia, 
and  this  strip  was  excluded,  because  the  maps  were  incorrect  upon 
which  the  lines  were  traced.  It  would  be  proper,  because  the 
safety  of  the  Indians,  and  the  quiet  of  the  borders,  could  in  no  other 
way  be  insured.  In  a  word,  he  was  told  that  the  Creeks  were 
required  to  carry  into  effect  the  treaty  according  to  its  true  intent, 
and  that  the  government  proposed  again  to  purchase  that  which 
was  already  theirs  by  .solemn  compact.  The  Creeks  were  not 
asked  to  make  a  new  sale,  but  to  ratify  and  execute  a  contract 
which  had  been  previously  made.  Still  their  Great  Father  was 
willing  to  i-emunerate  them  for  their  expected  compliance  with  his 
wishes — he  knew  they  were  poor,  and  would  again  pay  them  for 
the  land. 

The  reply  of  the  wary  chief  showed,  as  his  previous  conversation 
had  indicated,  that  his  object  was  to  gain  time.  It  was  smooth, 
plausible,  and  evasive.  At  last  it  was  agreed  to  hold  a  council  at 
Tuckabatchee,  and  runners  were  sent  out  to  invite  the  chiefs  of 
the  towns  to  be  present.  At  the  appointed  time  from  twelve  to 
fifteen  hundred  Indians  had  assembled,  and  after  some  delay, 
O  pot  hie  Yoholo,  as  the  chief  person  present,  was  called  upon  to 
open  the  council.  He  still  hesitated,  and,  upon  various  pretences 
consumed  three  days,  when  it  was  understood  that  the  two  edu- 
37 


888 


BIO{JkAl'HY. 


cited  Cliprokcos  had  arrived.  'J'lie.se  j)crsons  having  loariicd  llm 
white  man's  art  oftalkin;,'  upon  paper,  Merc  much  esteemed  l)v  llu" 
elm  r,  will)  proljably  e.\])ee'ied  tlirouyh  them  to  bo  abh)  to  jjrotecl 
himself  from  any  artifice  thut  might  be  practised  in  the  plirase- 
ol  uv  of  the  treaty  that  should  bo  proposed,  while  tlie}'  used  their 
advantage,  on  this,  and  other  occasions,  to  thwart  the  designs  of 
the  government,  and  keep  alive  the  existing  agitation. 

No  other  apology  for  delay  remaining,  certain  ceremonies,  pre- 
jiaratory  to  the  council,  were  performed  with  a  .solemnity  and  care- 
ful attention  which  showed  that  they  were  considered  of  great  im- 
portance. These  were  not  only  singular,  but,  as  we  believe,  pecu- 
liar to  the  Creek  nation ;  and  they  form  one  of  the  many  curious 
examples  exhibited  in  savage  life,  in  which  the  human  intellect  is 
seen  to  act,  on  an  occasion  demanding  the  exertion  of  its  highest 
powers,  with  an  absurdity  which  intentional  levity  could  scarcely 
surpass.  In  the  centre  of  the  square  of  the  village,  four  long  logs 
were  placed  in  tlie  forjn  of  a  cross,  with  tlieir  ends  directed 
towards  the  four  cardinal  points,  and  a  fire  kindled  at  the  intersec- 
tion. The  Indians  were  seated  around  in  groups.  A  decoction 
had  been  previously  prepared,  called  the  black  driitk,  which  is 
made  by  boiling  the  leaves  of  a  small  bush,  greatly  esteemed  and 
carefully  preserved  by  them,  which  they  call  arsce.  The  black 
and  nauseous  licpiid,  thus  produced,  was  poured  into  large  gourds, 
each  holding  three  quarts,  or  a  gallon,  and  being  handed  round  by 
persons  appointed  for  the  purpose,  was  drunk  in  such  liberal  quan- 
tities as  to  fill  the  stomach.  The  disgusting  draught  acted  as  an 
emetic,  and  was  drunk  and  thrown  up  until  the  evidences  of  the 
hideous  ceremony  covered  the  scjuare.  Having  thus  purified  them 
selves  for  business,  a  messenger  was  sent  to  inform  the  commis- 
■sioner  that  the  council  was  ready. 

But  little  hope  was  entertained  that  this  council  would  lead  to  a 
successful  result;  for  it  was  ascertained  that,  during  the  previous 
night,  the  proposition  of  the  commissioner  had  been  debated,  and  a 


OPOTHLH   YOnoLO. 


960 


ucj^riilive  reply  decided  uju)ii.  It  was  believed  lliiit  the  two  liidl- 
hreed  Chorokees  liad  prevailed  upon  Opothlc  Yoliolo  to  refuse  to 
riiuke  tlio  transfer  of  the  disputed  territory  until  a  i^overnnient 
eould  1)0  orgiinized,  like  that  which  had  heen  established  by  the 
('herukees,  after  which  the  sale  was  to  be  made,  and  the  money  put 
into  the  Creek  treasury — one  of  the  half-breeds  bcitiff  the  j)rospoct- 
ive  minister  of  linanco.  Unpromisinjf  as  the  j)rospeet  appeared, 
the  commissioner  determined  to  leave  no  eliort  untiit'd  to  ell'ect  an 
object  essential  to  the  j)eace  of  the  frontier,  ;ind  to  the  preservation 
of  amicable  relations  between  the  federal  [government  and  Georgia. 
When,  therefore,  in  reply  to  the  proposition  he  was  instructed  to 
make,  he  received  the  decided  negative  of  Opothle  Yoliolo,  in 
which  the  council  unanimously  concurred,  he  availed  liimself  of 
the  information  he  had  received  of  the  secret  intrigue  of  the  Chero- 
kees,  and  bokll}'  disclosed  the  plan  to  the  assendjled  Creeks.  For 
the  lirst  time,  perhaps,  in  his  life,  Oj)othle  Yoliolo  became  alarmed. 
lie  knew  ♦he  jealous  and  vindictive  temper  of  his  people.  The 
fate  of  Mcintosh  was  too  recent,  his  own  part  in  that  tragedy  too 
prominent,  to  leave  any  doubt  as  to  the  result  of  a  tampering  by  the 
i'ew  with  the  rights  of  the  many.  He  saw  the  danger  in  which  he 
n'as  placed  by  the  disclo.sure  of  a  jjlan  prompted  by  a  foreign  in- 
(luence,  doubtful  in  itself,  and  not  yet  matured,  lie  knew  as  well 
as  the  accomplished  jurist  of  Great  Britain,  that  popularity  may  be 
gained  without  merit,  and  lost  without  a  faidt — that  t/ie  people, 
civilized  or  savage,  are  easily  ruled,  and  as  easily  offended;  and 
that,  in  the  excited  state  of  his  tribe,  the  memory  of  his  own  ser- 
vices might  be  instantly  obliterated  by  the  .slightest  shadow  cast 
upon  the  patriotism  of  his  motives.  He  grew  restless,  and  said  to 
the  interpreter,  "Tell  him  he  talks  too  much."  Colonel  McKenney 
r(>plied,  that  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  the  Creeks  were  all  that 
their  Great  Father  at  Washington  sought  in  this  interview,  and  if 
what  had  been  said  was  tliat  which  thev  ought  to  know,  their  chief 
should  take  no  exce])tion  to  it.     He  hoped  there  was  no  impro 


990 


BIOGRAI'IIY. 


pricty  in  tolling  the  trutii,  and  liuviny  (M)ninicnced  a  tiiik.lit'  slioiild 
finish  it,  no  niultor  what  nii|rht  be  tlio  ('()nsi'(iiR'nco.  Tlio  (di'fct 
was  olcrtrical.  A  hum  ol'  voices  was  hi'ard  til^oll^fll  tlio  ('(niiicil. 
and  it  was  niaiiil'est  that  Opotlilo  Yoliolo,  tliuiiij;li  he  iiiaintaincd 
the  calmness  of  a  warrior,  saw  that  his  life  hung  upon  a  thread. 
The  commissioner,  knowing  that  tlio  Little  Prince,  head  chief  of 
the  nation,  whose  power  was  absolute,  was  cncainpiMl  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, concluded  his  exposition  by  saying  ho  should  appeal  to 
him,  and  if  he  spoke  the  language  of  that  council,  their  talk  would 
be  reported  to  the  President  for  his  decision.  The  appeal  to  Ciesar 
gave  a  now  direction  to  the  thoughts  of  the  savage  asssembly,  and 
probably  arrested  the  dissension  that  might  have  v  iisued.  'l"he 
commissioner,  without  waiting  for  a  reply,  left  the  council,  followed 
by  the  whole  body  of  the  tuwiiy  warriors,  who  rushed  towards  him 
as  he  was  about  to  mount  his  lioise.  8urpri.sed  by  this  sudden 
movement,  he  demanded  to  be  informed  of  its  object,  and  was  an- 
swered, "  We  came  to  look  at  the  man  who  is  not  afraid  to  speak." 
The  Little  Prince  was  then  .stricken  in  years.  The  commis- 
sioner found  him  in  the  primitive  state  of  a  forest  chief,  lying  upon 
a  blanket  under  a  tree ;  near  him  were  a  fire,  and  the  ])reparations 
for  cooking,  and  suspended  from  a  bough  over  his  head  were  the 
provisions  that  weye  to  form  his  bancpiet.  He  was  approached 
with  great  veneration ;  for  in  the  history  of  the  southern  Lidians 
there  is  not  found  a  name  of  more  .sterling  worth,  llis  mind  was 
enlightened  on  all  matters  that  concerned  his  peojile;  his  spirit 
unflinching;  his  sense  of  justice  keen  and  abiding.  To  him  the 
commissioner  made  known  the  whole  matter,  not  omitting  the 
offensive  interference  of  the  Cherokee  young  men.  It  was  this 
disclosure  that  Opothle  Yoholo  feared.  He  could  manage  his  own 
chief  the  Big  Warrior,  near  whom  he  was  officially  placed,  and  of 
wnose  ear  he  had  possessed  himself,  but  he  could  not  encroach 
upon  the  authority  of  the  Little  Prince,  who  ruled  the  whole 
Creek  nation,  uniting  under  his  authority  the  Upper  and  Lower 


(JPOTHLK    yOHOLO. 


291 


towns.  'I'lio  I'riiice  hoard  tho  8talcinont  in  silence  Altlioiiyli  to 
liis  visitor  ho  paid  every  becoming  attention,  not  a  s}  liable  ot"  com- 
ment escaped  liini;  not  a  look  of  assent  or  (iisapj)n)l)ation.  With 
that  caution  which  marks  the  whole  tenor  of  the  Indian's  life,  and 
especially  governs,  his  intercourse  as  a  public  man,  lie  withheld 
the  expression  of  any  opinion  until  he  could  make  up  n  decision 
which  should  be  sanctioned  by  deliberate  reflection.  Tlie  loin- 
missioner,  though  well  aware  of  this  feature  of  the  Indian 
character,  sui)pose(l,  from  tho  apparent  apathy  with  which  he  ..as 
listened  to,  that  he  had  only  related  what  the  chief  knew  and 
approved,  and  concluded  the  brief  interview  by  saying,  "  I  now 
leave  you  and  y')<v  people.  I  shall  return  immediately  to  \V!i..h- 
ington,  nnd  report  what  I  have  seen  and  heard,"  They  parted — 
the  one  to  reflect  on  what  had  passed,  the  other  to  seek  repose  for 
the  night  at  the  agency  at  Fort  Mitchell. 

At  midiught,  a  runner,  sent  by  the  Little  Prince,  arrived  at  the 
Fort.  "  Tell  the  commissioner,"  was  his  message,  "  not  to  go — 
in  the  morning,  the  Little  Prince  will  come  to  him  and  make  a 
treaty."  At  daylight,  another  messenger  came  to  say  that  the 
Little  Prince's  horse  had  strayed  away  in  the  night,  but  that  he 
would  visit  the  commissioner  early  in  the  day.  About  noon  he 
arrived,  attended  by  several  of  hie  chiefs,  but  Opothle  Yoholo  was 
not  of  the  number.  After  the  usual  salutations,  the  chieftain  said 
to  Colonel  McKenney,  "  Take  a  paper,  and  write  to  the  Cherokee 
chief,  that  if  his  young  men  (naming  them)  come  among  my 
people  tgain,  I  will  kill  them."  This  characteristic  despatch, 
which  sho'vs  tliat,  in  the  crude  diplomacy  of  the  forest,  tho  last 
resort  of  civilized  nations  is  the  first  appeal  for  justice,  was  writ- 
ten, the  mark  of  the  Little  Prince  affixed,  and  the  missive  sent 
The  transaction  showed  a  suitable  jealousy  of  a  foreign  influence 
over  his  people,  and  over  the  chief  functionary  of  the  Big  War 
rior,  which  probably  led,  more  than  any  oUicr  consideration,  to 
the  decision  to  make  the  treaty  which  his  meddling  neighbors 


292 


BIOGRAPHY. 


endeavored  to  prevent.  Tlie  treaty  was  prepared  and  agreed 
upon,  u  council  was  called  which  ratified  the  jirocecding,  and  the 
important  document  signed  which  gave  peace  to  that  frontier,  and 
for  ever  closed  this  exciting  question. 

This  direct  and  unusual  exercise  of  authority,  in  opposition  to 
the  decision  of  Opothle  Yoholo,  made  but  a  few  days  before  in 
open  council,  greatly  weakened  the  influence  of  the  latter.  But 
the  Little  Prince  dying  about  a  year  afterwards,  Opothle  Yoholo 
regained  a  power  which  had  been  inferior  only  to  that  of  iiead 
chief,  that  of  the  Big  Warrior  being  merely  nominal.  The  suc- 
cessor of  the  Little  Prince  was  Nea  Micco,  a  dull,  heavy  man ;  and 
tlie  Big  Warrior  having  also  departed,  soon  after,  to  the  land  of 
spirits,  was  succeeded  by  Tuskena,  his  son,  a  person  of  slender 
capacity.  Opothle  Yoholo  became,  therefore,  the  princi])al  man  of 
the  Creeks,  in  fact,  though  not  in  name,  and  has  continued  ever 
since  to  exercise  over  them  the  power  of  an  absolute  potentate.  It 
is  said  that  he  might  have  been  elected  to  the  chieftainship  on  the 
demise  of  the  Little  Prince,  but  that  he  preferred  his  position  as 
speaker,  which,  by  bringing  him  more  directly  in  contact  with  the 
people,  gave  him  all  the  advantage  of  his  address  and  eloquence. 

During  the  late  unhappy  contest  between  the  United  States  and 
the  Seminole  Lidians,  it  was  to  be  expected  that  the  sympathies  of 
the  Creeks  would  be  strongly  excited  in  favor  of  the  latter,  who 
are  wandering  tribes,  descended  from  the  Creek  nation.  Accord- 
ingly, in  lS;3r),  when  the  war  grew  hot,  and  the  Seminoles  were 
successful  in  several  sanguinary  engagements,  the  spirit  of  revolt 
spread  through  the  Creek  nation,  and  many  of  that  peojile  were 
urged,  by  the  fatal  destiny  which  seems  to  have  doomed  the  whole 
race  to  extinction,  into  open  war.  Saugahatchee,  one  of  the  towns 
of  Opothle  Yoholo's  district,  was  the  first  to  revolt.  The  warriors, 
without  a  single  exception,  ])ainted  them.^elves  for  war;  the  young 
men  rnslied  out  upon  tlie  highways,  and  murdered  all  the  travel- 
lers who  fell  in  their  way.     Opothle  Yoholo,  on  hearing  tiie  iiitel 


OPOTIILE  YOHOLO. 


293 


ligence,  immediatel_y  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  warriors  of 
his  own  town,  marched  upon  the  insurgents,  burned  their  vil!-igc, 
and  having  captured  some  of  their  men,  delivered  tliem  over  to  the 
military,  by  whom  they  were  imprisoned.  At  tlie  request  ol" 
Governor  Clay  of  Alabama,  he  called  a  council  of  his  warriors,  at 
Kialegee,  and,  having  collected  about  fd'teen  hundred  of  them, 
proposed  to  lead  them  against  the  hostile  Creeks.  They  consented, 
and  within  five  days,  were  encamped  at  I'allahassee,  the  then 
head-quarters  of  Major-General  Jessu]i,  to  whom  a  formal  tender 
of  their  services  was  made.  I'he  otl'er  was  accepted,  and  OpotJile 
Voholo  appointed  the  commander  of  the  whole  Indian  force,  with 
the  rank  of  Colonel.  General  Jcssup  marched  the  united  regular 
and  Indian  army,  without  delay,  to  Ilatcheehubbee,  where  the 
hostiles  were  assembled,  and  was  about  to  attack  them,  when  the 
latter,  overawed  by  the  superior  force  and  prompt  action  of  the 
American  General,  surrendered  themselves,  and  thus  ended  tlie 
contest. 

We  have  not  hesitated  to  speak  freely  of  the  causes  and  conduct 
of  the  Indian  wars  that  we  have  liad  occasion  to  glance  at  in 
various  pirls  this  work.  They  have  usually  been  provoked  by 
the  whites.  Those  alluded  to  in  this  article  were  tlie  result  of 
frauds  committed  by  land  speculators,  who  sought  to  enrich  them- 
selves at  the  expense  of  those  illiterate  savages,  and  who  have 
cither  deceived  the  general  and. state  governments,  or  committed 
them  by  acts  which,  though  they  could  not  approve,  they  have 
been  obliged  to  sanction.  This  oppression,  together  wi''  ..  reluc- 
tance to  emigrate  on  tiic  part  of  soine  of  the  Creeks,  engendered 
that  revengeful  tor.iper  which  has  thrown  so  many  olistacles  in 
the  way  of  the  attempts  of  tlie  executive  of  the  United  States  to 
separate  the  red  au'l  wl.ite  races. 

The  close  of  disturbances  rendering  the  furtlier  services  of 
0])otlile  Voholo  and  his  warriors  unnecessary,  and  the  time  for 
their  emigration  having  arrived,  they  were  ordered  into  encamp- 


•■~1 


294 


BIOGRAPHY. 


ments,  with  a  view  to  tlieir  immediate  removal,  and  shortly  alter 
left  the  land  of  tlieir  fathers  for  ever. 

It  is  not  to  be  inferred  from  the  prompt  supjiort  given  hy 
Opothle  Yoholo  to  the  American  General,  that  his  sentiments  had 
become  favorable  to  emigration;  on  the  contrary,  he  remained 
inflexible  in  his  aversion  to  that  measure.  He  was  not  only  un- 
willing to  leave  his  native  soil,  but  opposed  especially  to  a  removal 
to  the  lands  offered  by  the  government — perhaps,  because  his 
people  would  there  be  thrown  into  contact  with  the  followers  of 
Mcintosh,  and  he  may  have  supposed  it  doubtful  whether  they 
could  live  together  in  peace.  He,  therefore,  in  1834  or  1835,  went 
to  Texas  to  seek  a  home,  and,  having  explored  the  country,  pur- 
chased a  large  tract,  for  which  he  was  to  give  eighty  thousand 
dollars;  but  the  Mexican  government,  jealous  on  account  of  the 
revolutionary  movements  then  in  progress,  and  unwilling  to 
receive  a  population  which  would  not  probably  make  such  sub- 
jects as  it  would  desire,  interposed  to  prevent  the  transfer,  and 
there  being  also  a  doubt  suggi..sted  as  to  the  title  to  the  land,  the 
intention  was  given  up,  with  a  loss  of  twenty  thousand  dollars, 
which  had  been  paid  in  advance. 

The  several  parties  of  the  Creek  nation,  unhappily  divided  by 
the  contest  relative  to  the  sale  of  their  country,  are  reunited  in 
Arkansas,  and  are  said  to  be  living  in  harmony.  Opothle  Yoholo 
is  popular,  and  is  spoken  of  as  principal  chief  of  the  united  trilies. 
His  competitor  is  Roily  Mcintosh,  brother  of  the  murdered  chief. 
General  Mcintosh. 

Opothle  Yoholo  is  believed  to  have  but  one  wife.  Two  of  his 
daughters  are  said  to  be  very  beautiful.  One  son  was  educated  at 
the  Choctaw  Academy,  in  Kentucky,  and  bears  the  name  of  the 
venerable  patron  of  that  institution,  Richard  M.  Johnsm. 


WAEMBOESIIKAA. 


Ajiong  the  most  remarkable  chiefs  we  met  with  at  tlie  treaty  of 
La  Fond  du  Lac  Superior,  in  1S26,  was  Wacmbocshkaa,  a  Chip- 
pewa  chief  Our  attention  was  .attracted  more  by  his  style  of  dress 
than  by  any  particular  part  that  he  bore  in  the  ceremonies  of  that 
occasion.  He  was  the  only  Indian  present  who  seened  to  have 
a  right  conception  of  the  kingly  crown,  and  to  hare  succeeded 
in  constructing  a  vcrj'  successful  imitation  of  that  appendage  of 
royalty.  It  is  true,  the  materials  were  far  more  costly ;  they  were 
a  mixture  of  feathers,  glossy,  and  very  beautiful,  from  the  drake's 
breast,  and  of  the  bills  and  feathers  from  the  head  of  the  wood- 
pecker. In  place  of  bracelets  of  metal,  his  wrists  were  similarly 
ornamented,  whilst  his  neck  was  encircled  with  horse-hair,  colored 
with  vermilion.  His  pipe  was  made  gay  with  the  same  materials, 
and  his  pouch  had  been  the  object  of  his  special  attentions.  His 
blanket  was  .sound,  and  largo,  and  clean.  He  was  one  of  the 
representatives  of  the  Sandj'  Lake  band.  He  arrived  late  at  the 
treaty  ground ;  and,  on  joining  the  assemblage,  appeared  conscious 
that,  whatever  he  miglit  lack  in  other  accomplishments,  he  was  the 
superior  of  all  present  in  the  ornaments  of  his  person.  There  did 
not,  however,  appear  to  be  any  thing  deficient  in  him  in  other 
respects;  he  was  thoughtful,  respectful,  and  conducted  himself 
throughout  with  great  propriety. 

We  might  not,  perhaps,  have  singled  him  out  on  account  of  his 
dress,  if  the  seven  hundred  Indians,  of  both  sexe.s,  and  of  all  ages, 
by  whom  he  was  surrounded,  had  not  formed  so  disadvantageous 
3S  (295) 


296 


BIOGRAPHY. 


a  contrast.  They  were  amongst  the  worst  clad,  and  most  wretched 
body  of  Indians  wo  ever  met  with.  Our  rcmarlvs,  made  at  tlie 
time,  are  now  before  ns;  we  give  tlie  following  extract: — "Never 
before  had  we  witnessed  such  a  display,  nor  such  an  (jxhibitiou  of 
nakedness  and  wretchedness,  nor  such  varieties  of  both.  From 
the  infant,  tied  to  its  cradle,  and  to  the  back  of  its  mother,  to  the 
Big  Buffalo;  from  the  little  fellow,  with  a  dress  made  of  raccoon 
skins,  himself  not  nnich  above  tlie  size  of  that  animal,  and  looking, 
except  his  face,  for  all  the  world  like  one  of  them  on  its  hinder 
feet,  to  Waemboeshkaa,  one  of  the  Sandy  Lake  chiefs,  dressed  like 
King  Saul."  So  we  denominated  this  chief  at  the  time;  and  he 
bore  a  very  remarkable  likeness  to  that  personage,  crown  and  all, 
as  we  have  seen  him  sketched  by  those  who  have  indulged  their 
fancy  in  presenting  to  the  world  tlieir  imaginings  of  this  renowned 
personage. 

Whatever  of  humiliation  might  have  been  produced  by  those 
who  were  lowest  in  the  scale  of  want,  was  relieved  by  suitable 
presents,  before  \vc  left  the  treaty  ground.  Waemboeshkaa,  it  is 
true,  received  his  due  proportion,  nncl  maintained,  therefore,  his 
superiority  in  personal  wealth  and  endowments. 

We  parted  from  this  chief  at  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty,  and 
have  heard  nothing  of  him  since;  nor  did  we  learn,  at  the  lime, 
that  he  had  ever  particularly  distinguished  himself,  (not  even  by 
much  smoking,  for  all  Indians  are  inveterate  smokers,)  but  inferred 
that,  either  by  descent,  or  exploits  in  war,  he  was  high  in  the  con- 
lldence  of  his  band,  or  that  otlierwisc  he  would  not  have  been 
deputed  to  attend  the  treaty  in  the  capacity  of  chief. 


TIMrOOCUEE   BAllNAllD. 


A  roNsinEUAiu.K  iRini1)er  of  tlio  persons  wlio  have  risen  to  dis- 
tinction among  tlic  soutliern  Indians,  within  the  last  quarter  of  a 
century,  have  been  tlie  descendants  of  adventurers  from  Europe  or 
the  United  States,  who,  liaving  married  Indian  women,  and  adopted 
tlio  savage  life,  obtained  tlic  confidence  of  the  tribes,  and  availed 
Ihemselves  of  that  advantage  to  accumulate  property.  They  were 
at  first  traders,  who  carried  to  the  Indians  such  goods  as  tliey 
needed,  and  bought  their  peltries,  but  soon  directed  their  means 
to  the  purchase  of  negro  slaves,  -wliom  they  cnn)]oyed  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  tlie  soil,  and  tlie  care  of  large  numbers  of  cattle  and 
horses.  They  lived  in  a  state  of  seuii-civilization,  engrafting  a 
portion  of  the  tlu-ift  and  comfort  of  husbandry  upon  the  habits  of 
savage  life,  having  an  abundance  of  every  thing  that  the  soil,  or 
the  herd,  or  the  cha.se,  coiild  yield,  practising  a  rude,  but  profuse 
hospitality,  yet  knowing  little  of  any  thing  which  avc  should  class 
under  the  name  of  luxury  or  refinement.  Their  descendants 
fi)nned  a  class,  which,  in  spite  of  the  professed  equality  that  pre- 
vails among  the  Indians,  came  insensilily  into  tlie  quiet  possession 
of  a  ki  '  frank.  Althongh  they  were  l)rcd  to  the  athletic  exer- 
cises and  sports  of  tlie  Indian,  they  had  a  luu'tnre  superior  to  that 
of  tlie  savage;  tlie  most  of  tliem  recc-ived  the  rudiments  of  an 
I'lnglish  education,  and  a  fi>w  passed  with  cnnlit  through  college. 
Tlie  real  Indi'in,  while  he  despised  and  spurned  at  civilization, 
when  ofiered  to  himself,  or  his  children,  respected  in  others  the 
practical  advantages  which  he  saw  it  gave  them;  and  thus  the 


298 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Imlf-brccds,  Imving  the  Indian  blood  on  the  one  hand,  and  the 
advantajro  of  property  and  education  on  the  other,  became  very 
influential,  and,  had  they  been  perniitted  to  form  governments,  as 
was  attempted  in  one  instance,  would  probably  have  concentrated 
in  their  own  hands  all  tlie  property  of  the  Indians.  To  this  class 
mainly,  was  confined  the  civilization  among  the  southern  tribes,  so 
much  sj)okcn  of  a  few  years  ago. 

Timpoocheu  Barnard  was  the  son  of  a  Ucliee  woman.  His 
father  was  a  Scotchman,  said  to  be  of  gentle  blood,  whose  name 
was  Timothy  Barnard.  It  is  supposed  tliat  large  estates  may  be 
in  reversion  for  the  descendants  of  Timpoochee. 

The  Uchees  were  once  a  distinct  and  powerful  people,  but 
were  subdued  by  the  Creeks,  upwards  of  a  century  ago,  and 
tliose  who  escaped  the  massacre,  which  usually  attends  an  Indian 
victory,  were  taken  into  the  country  of  the  victors,  and  held  in 
servitude.  Being  unaccustomed  to  labor,  they  were  probably  of 
little  value  as  slaves,  especially  to  a  people  who  had  no  agricul- 
ture, and  who  needed  warriors  more  than  servants.  They  gradually 
became  emancipated,  and  incorporated  with  the  Creek  nation,  with 
whom  they  have  ever  since  remained  in  close  and  cordial  union, 
although,  as  is  customary  with  the  Indians,  they  have  preserved 
their  identity  as  a  tribe,  and  retained  their  language.  The  latter 
is  described,  by  the  venerable  and  learned  Mr.  Gallatin,  in  his 
elaborate  worlv,  just  puljlished,  as  "the  most  guttural,  uncouth,  and 
dilHcult  to  express,  with  our  alpliabet  and  orthography,  of  any  of 
the  Indian  languages  within  our  knowledge."  The  Creeks  do  not 
attempt  to  speak  it,  although  the  Uchees  speak  the  Creek  language 
as  well  as  tluir  own.  Timpoochee's  mother  carefully  imparted  her 
own  dialect  to  lier  son,  while  his  father,  though  a  practised  inter- 
preter of  the  Creek,  never  attein])ted  to  master  the  Uchee. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  first  known  in  public  life  in 
1814,  when  he  took  part  with  the  American  forces  against  the 
hostile  Creeks,  and   commanded  alwut  one  hundred  Uchee  war- 


TIMPOOCHEE    BARNARD. 


299 


riors,  witli  llic  coiiiinission  of  Major.  He  was  at  the  battle  of 
Callabec,  under  General  Floyd,  and  distinguished  himself  by  an 
act  of  gallantry.  An  attempt  was  made  to  surprise  the  Anerican 
camp  at  night,  and  to  cut  oifa  detaciunent  under  General  Brodnax, 
encamped  near  the  main  body.  Timpoochee  Barnard,  discovering 
this  movement,  made  a  desperate  onset  upon  the  assailants,  at  the 
head  of  his  Uchee  braves,  and,  after  a  severe  loss,  succeeded  in 
driving  back  the  enemy,  or  in  opening  the  way  for  the  detachment 
to  join  the  main  body.  During  the  war  he  acquired  a 'high  -repu- 
lation  for  skill  and  bravery.  He  was  often  honored  by  being 
placed  in  the  post  of  danger,  and  he  did  not,  in  any  instance,  dis- 
appoint the  expectations  of  the  commanding  General.  He  took 
part  in  nearly  all  the  battles  in  the  south,  during  that  war,  and 
was  twice  wounded. 

On  the  return  of  peace  he  rejoined  his  family,  near  the  Creek 
agency,  on  Flint  river,  in  Georgia.  His  wife  was  a  Creek,  and  is 
reported  to  have  been  remarkable  for  her  good  sense  and  propriety 
of  conduct,  while  Major  Barnard  is  said  to  have  been  domestic  in 
his  habits,  and  devotedly  attached  to  his  children,  of  whom  he  had 
six.  Of  the  latter,  two  were  girls,  who  were  extremely  beautiful; 
and  the  family,  taken  together,  was  considered  the  handsomest  in 
the  Creek  nation.  One  of  the  daughters  fell  a  victim  to  a  delicacy 
not  often  found  in  her  race,  nor  in  the  women  of  any  country  where 
the  practice  of  polygamy  debases  the  m  rriage  relation.  She  was 
overruled  in  the  choice  of  her  husband,  and  compelled  to  marry 
against  her  will;  and,  although  licr  husband  was  a  Creek  chief  of 
distinction,  she  could  not  brook  the  degradation,  as  .she  esteemed  it, 
of  being  a  second  and  subordinate  wife,  and  put  an  end  to  her  life 
by  poison. 

On  his  return  from  the  Creek  nation,  in  1*^27,  Colonel  McKcnney 
brought  to  Washington  with  him  two  little  Indian  boys,  one  of 
twelve,  and  the  other  nine  years  of  age,  with  the  intention  of  having 
them  educated  under  his  own  care,  at  the  expense  of  the  govern 


I 


300 


BIOGRAPHY. 


iiicnt.  Tlic  older  of  these  was  William,  son  of  Tiinpooclioe  Bar 
Hard;  llie  Indian  name  of  the  oilier  was  Arl)or,  hut  he  was  called 
Lee  Compere,  after  the  missionary  of  that  name,  who  lived  in  the 
Creek  nation.  After  they  had  travelled  ahout  a  luindred  miles, 
at  the  beginning  of  their  journey,  Lee  discovered  some  symptoms 
of  discontent,  and  Colonel  McKeniiey,  having  learned  through 
"William,  who  spoke  a  little  English,  that  he  was  dissatisfied  at 
Ijeing  sent  from  home,  requested  the  stage  driver  to  stop  his  horses, 
and  told  L'ee  that  he  might  return.  l"he  boy's  countenance  in- 
stantly brightened,  and,  seizing  his  bundle  and  his  little  blow-gun, 
he  began  to  clamber  out  of  the  carriage.  He  was,  of  course,  not 
])ermitted  to  go;  but  the  anecdote  is  mentioned  to  show  tiie  fear- 
lessness with  which  the  young  savage  throws  himself  upon  his 
own  resources.  They  remained  in  Colonel  IMcKenney's  family 
about  three  years,  and  until  his  connection  with  the  Indian  depart- 
ment ceased,  when  they  wore  sent  home.  They  went  to  school 
during  this  period,  and  William  made  consideral^le  progress,  and 
bade  fair  to  become  an  honor  to  his  name  and  country,  lie  was 
intelligent  and  docile,  while  Lee  had  all  the  Indian's  stubbornness 
of  temper,  impatience  of  restraint,  and  disinclination  for  sedentary 
[jursuits.  The  school  selected  for  these  boys  was  one  of  those  at 
which,  in  imitation  of  the  discipline  at  West  Point,  the  pupils  were 
required  to  perform  martial  exercises,  and  to  submit  to  a  military 
police.  The  young  Indians  were  ])leased  with  this  routine,  which 
was  in  unison  with  their  naturally  martial  disjiositions.  The  uni- 
forms and  the  parades  were  j)recisely  suited  to  gratify  their  tastes, 
but  neither  of  them  liked  the  e.vact  enforcement  of  strict  rules.  On 
one  occasion,  Lee  was  ordered,  for  some  delin(piency,  to  be  ])laced 
under  guard,  during  the  hours  allotted  for  recreation.  He  was 
accordingly  confnied  in  a  room,  wjiich  was  called  the  black-hole, 
and  anotiier  boy  placed  as  a  sentinel  at  the  door.  Lee  sat  for  a 
litth^  time,  gazing  wistfully  at  the  boys  who  were  playing  on  the 
outside,  and  at  the  sentinel  wlio  paced  to  and  fro  with  a  musket 


T I M  P  O  O  CII  [■:  E    BAR  N  A  R  T). 


301 


oil  Ids  shoulder,  wlien,  esjniiifr  a  Ijnyoiiot  in  the  room,  lie  sei/cil 
it,  and  nislicd  upon  the  guard,  who  escaped  its  point  at  first  by 
dodr^ing,  and  then  l)y  running  away.  On  finding  himself  at  lilierty, 
Lee  threw  down  tlie  weapon,  and  deliberately  walked  homo. 

Those  who  have  paid  attention  to  the  subject,  have  not  failed  to 
remark,  that,  in  the  attempt  to  civilize  the  Indian,  a  little  learning  is 
a  dangerous  thing,  and  that  a  half  educated  savage  seldom  becomes 
a  useful  man.  Such  an  individual,  thrown  back  upon  ravage  life, 
is  inferior  lo  those  who  had  never  quit  it,  in  their  own  arts,  witliout 
brinfriny;  back  much  that  is  valuable  of  the  habits  of  civilized  men. 
Unless  he  has  the  strength  of  mind  to  attach  himself  decidedly  to 
one  side  or  the  other,  he  is  apt  to  vacillate  between  employments 
of  the  wlute  man  and  the  Indian,  inferior  to  botli,  and  respected  by 
neither.  We  do  not  say  that  such  was  tht-  case  with  William  Bar- 
nard. We  only  know  that  his  career  has  been  unfortunate.  Though 
but  fifteen  years  old  on  his  return  home,  he  fell  into  a  series  of  dif- 
ficulties, with  the  precise  nature  of  whicli  we  are  not  acquainted, 
l)Ut  in  course  of  which  he  killed  several  Indians,  and  he  afterwards 
joined  the  Indian  force  sent  to  Florida,  under  Paddy  Carr,  to  assist 
in  the  war  against  the  ScMiiinoles. 

Thus  did  this  worthy  ami  highly  respected  person  reap  las  full 
share  of  those  domestic  afllictions  which  not  unfrequently  embit- 
ter the  last  days  of  those  who  have  been  most  exemplary  in  private 
life,  and  whose  affections  are  garnered  up  in  the  hoi}'  and  endiar- 
ing  joys  of  the  domeslic  circle.  Major  Barnard  had,  however,  the 
consolation  to  know  that  he  had  faithfully  performed  a  parent's 
duty,  gaining  for  himself  the  sincere  attachment  of  those  around 
him,  and  for  his  family  the  respect  of  tlie  public. 

A  compliment  paid  to  this  individual  by  a  late  President  of 
the  United  States,  is  too  striking  to  be  omitted.  During  the  resi- 
dence at  Washington  of  ihc  two  Indian  boys  already  mentioned, 
they  were  taken  by  Colonel  McKenney  to  see  the  President,  who 
received  them  with  the  paternid  kindness  of  manner  v  Inch  distin 


30v 


BIOGRAPHY. 


piiished  so  remarkably  tlie  social  intercourse  of  that,  eminont  man 
On  hearinn-  the  name  of  William  Barnard,  he  took  the  boy  by  the 
hand,  and  asked  him  if  he  was  the  son  of  Major  Timpoochee  I'ar- 
nard ;  tlie  reply  being  in  the  aflTirmative,  General  Jackson  placed 
his  hand  on  the  head  of  the  youth,  and  said,  "A  braver  man  th;m 
your  father  never  lived."  There  is  no  applause  which  savors  less 
of  flattorj'  tlian  the  spontaneous  homage  which  is  paid  by  one 
brave  man  to  the  courage  of  another. 

Timpoochee  Barnard  was  one  of  the  delegation  chosen  to  pro- 
ceed to  Washington,  to  remonstrate  against  the  treaty  of  the  Indian 
Springs,  at  which  time  his  portrait  was  taken.  After  living  in  such 
affluence  as  his  country  afforded,  distinguished  for  probity,  bene- 
volence, and  hospitality,  as  highly  as  he  was  by  valor  and  public 
spirit,  he  died  near  Fort  Mitchell,  in  Alabama,  aged  about  fifi}- 
eight  years 


LITTLE   CROW. 


The  name  of  this  individual  is,  in  his  own  language,  Chatow 
wahtooamany,  or  the  "  Sparrowhuwk  that  conies  to  jou  walking." 
The  French  gave  him  the  name  oi  Petit  Corbeaii,  and  the  EngHsli 
appellation,  placed  at  the  head  of  this  sketch,  is  a  translation  from 
the  latter. 

He  visited  Washington  city  in  1824,  and  was,  at  that  time,  head 
chief  of  the  Kahpozhay  band,  of  tlio  Mundaijivahhanton,  and  a 
person  of  some 'consideration.  He  claims  to  be,  and  perhaps  is,  by 
hereditary  right,  the  head  chief  of  the  whole  Sioux  nation;  but  he 
has  fallen  into  disrepute,  and  is,  at  this  time,  without  any  iiifluence 
even  in  his  own  band.  He  resides  at  a  distance  from  his  band,  on 
or  near  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Superior;  is  cunning,  artful,  and 
treacherous;  is  not  much  distinguished  as  a  warrior,  T;ut  is  very 
successful  as  a  hunter,  especially  of  beaver.  The  name  Kuhpu/,- 
hay,  or  Kapoja,  as  others  understand  it,  .signifies  light,  and  is  applied 
to  this  band,  to  indicate  that  they  are  more  active  than  the  other 
branches  of  the  Sioux,  or  Dacotah  family. 

Soon  after  peace  was  declared  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain,  in  1815,  the  Sioux  were  invited  by  the  commanding 
officer  at  Drummond's  island,  to  visit  tliat  jiost.  On  their  arrival" 
the  Indians  were  informed  by  the  officer,  that  he  had  sent  for  rhem 
to  thank  ^hem,  in  the  name  of  his  majesty,  for  the  aid  they  had 
rendered  the  British  during  the  late  war,  and  for  the  bravery  thev 
^^  (.'303) 


301 


UIOGKAI'IIY. 


luul  (lis|)layrcl  on  scvornl  occasions,  as  well  as  to  commuiiicatt'  tlio 
inlclli^ciH'c  of  llio  peace  which  hail  been  declared  Im  tweeii  the 
j^real  belligerent  parties.  lie;  coucliided  liy  pointing  to  a  largo  pile 
of  goods  that  lay  heaped  upon  the  (loor,  which,  ho  told  thoin,  were 
iuteiuled  as  presents  for  themselves.  The  Little  Crow  replied,  that 
Ills  people  had  been  prevailed  upon  by  the  British  to  make  war  upon 
a  people  whom  they  scarcely  knew,  and  who  had  never  done  them 
any  harm.  "Now,"  continued  he,  "after  we  have  fought  for  you, 
endiu'cd  many  hard.sliips,  lost  some  of  our  people,  and  awakened 
tlie  vengeance  of  a  powerful  nation,  our  neighbors,  you  make  a 
peace  for  yourselves,  and  leave  us  to  get  such  terms  as  we  can.  Y(m 
no  longer  need  our  services,  and  oiler  us  these  goods  as  a  compen- 
sation for  having  deserted  us.  Hut  no — we  will  not  take  them; 
we  hold  them  and  your.sclves  in  e((ual  contempt."  So  .s;tying,  he 
spurned  the  articles  of  mercliandi.se  with  his  foot,  and  walked 
away.  This  conduct  was  the  more  remarkable,  from  its  inconsist- 
ency with  the  gravity  and  decorum  with  which  the  chiefs  usually 
deport  themselves  on  public  occasions.  The  Indians,  however,  who 
were  not  so  sensitive  in  regard  to  the  injury  supposed  to  have  been 
done  them,  received  the  goods. 

The  Little  Crow  lias  a  son  named  Big  Thunder,  who  is  a  fierce 
and  terrible  fellow.  A  few  years  ago,  the  father  and  son  took  a 
long  journey  to  the  north-west,  in  search,  as  they  pretended,  of 
knowledge.  They  visited  the  British  settlement  at  l'emi)iiia,  and 
attended  a  great  meeting  at  Lake  Travers,  at  which  fifteen  iiundred 
warriors  are  said  to  have  been  present,  from  the  Assinilioin,  Man- 
dan,  Minnetarec,  lowa)^  and  other  tribes,  as  well  as  from  each  of  the 
tribes  of  the  Dacotah  nation.  On  this  solemn  occasion,  the  various 
speakers  all  addressed  the  Little  Crow  by  tho  title  of  "Father;" 
thu.s,  according  to  their  rules  of  etiquette,  in  the  ol).servance  of 
which  they  are  exceedingly  tenacious,  acknowledging  him  to  be 
superior,  by  hereditary  right,  to  all  other  Dacotah  chiefs,  and  the 


LITTLE  riiOW. 


305 


Darotiili  rntioii  ;is  snpn-ior  to  Uicir  ,,uii.  Th,'  festivities,  wliieli 
liis-e,!  almost  a  fortiii-ht,  .■onsistod  of  duiiers,  sonars,  and  repasts; 
tlio  principal  feast  was  rel<.|,rated  on  the  •,V,tli  of  June;  and,  as  tlio 
Ixdfalo  wore  abundant  at  flial  season,  a  ^-reat  nund)er  were;  killed. 

Tlic  Kahpoztny  band  have  but  one  villafre,  which  is  on  Iho  iMis- 
sissippi  river,  below  the  mouth  of  ijio  St  l'cter".s. 


McINTOSIl. 


MclNtosu,  whose  a.lmirablc  likeness  is  befr.re  the  reader,  was  a 
halt-breed,  of  the  Muscogee,  or  Creek  nation.  His  father  was  a 
S^cotsman  ;  his  mother  a  native  of  unmixed  blood.  Mcintosh  wa,s 
intelligent  and  brave.  In  person  he  was  tall,  finely  formed,  and 
of  graceful  and  commanding  manners.  To  these  qualities  he  pro- 
bably  owed  his  elevation  to  the  chieftainship  of  the  Coweta  tribe 

We  know  little  of  the  early  history  of  this  chief.  The  first  notice 
we  have  of  him  is  after  his  junction  with  the  American  forces  m 
IS  12.  General  Floyd  mentions  him  in  his  report  of  the  battle  or 
as  it  may  with  more  propriety  be  termed,  the  massacre  of  Autossee ' 
on  which  occasion  two  hundred  Creeks  were  slain.  The  Indians 
were  surprised  in  their  lodges,  and  killed,  before  they  could  rally 
in  their  defcice.  Mcintosh  and  his  Indian  forces  are  reported  by 
General  Floyd  to  have  "fought  with  au  intrepidity  worthy  of  anv 
troop.s."  •'  -^ 

Autossee  was  a  favorite  spot,  and  had  been  selected  bv  the  chiefs 
of  eight  of  the  Creek  towns  for  a  last  and  desperate  stlnd  against 
ll.e  invading  army;  bu:  th,>  sudden  and  unexpected  attack  of 
General  Floy.l  tenninared  tl,e  contest.  The  kings  of  Autossee  and 
lallassec  were  among  the  slain. 

Mclntosli  i.s  again  spoken  of  by  the  commanding  general  Jack 
son,  as  Major  Mcintosh,  and  is  said  by  that  ofllcer,  in  his  report  of 
11.0  famous  battle  of  the  Horseshoe,  to  have  "greatly  distinguished 
I.nn.self  He  also  signalized  himself  in  the  Florida  campai-rn  by 
various  acts  of  gallantry.  i     o.    ; 

(307) 


308 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Wc  sliJill  leave  our  warrior  cliit'f  lor  ;i  wliilc,  and  glaiu'c  at  a 
subject  of  great  ])i]blie  iiitere.st,  in  relation  lo  wliieli,  lie  was  des- 
tined to  act  a  consjiicuous  part,  and  wliieli  linall}-  brought  about 
his  death. 

In  1S02,  a  compact  was  entered  into  between  the  United  States 
and  the  State  of  Georgia;  the  fourth  article  of  which  stipulates, 
"tliat  the  United  States  shall,  at  their  own  expense,  e.xtinguish,  for 
the  u.se  of  Georgia,  as  early  as  the  satne  can  \)q pcaccahhj  effected, 
on  reasonable  terms,  the  Indian  title  to  the  lands  within  the  forks 
of  the  Oconnee  and  Oakmulgee  rivers,  &c.  &c. ;  and  thaL  the 
United  States  .shall,  in  the  same  manner,  also,  extinguish  tlie 
Indian  title  to  all  the  other  lands  within  the  State  of  Georgia." 

The  United  States,  in  pursuance  of  this  compact,  proceeded, 
from  time  to  time,  by  treaties,  to  extinguish  the  Indian  title  to 
lands  within  the  limits  of  Georgia.  The  first  treaiy  of  cession, 
after  the  formation  of  the  compact,  was  concluded  on  the  Oconnee 
river,  near  Fort  Wilkinson,  in  the  month  of  June  following;  a 
.second  was  negotiated  in  the  city  of  Washington,  ir  une,  ISOG;  a 
third  was  the  treaty  of  conquest,  of  August,  ISll;  a  fourth  treaty 
was  negotiated  in  January,  1S18;  a  fifth  in  January,  1S21.  Und;'r 
these  several  treaties,  the  Indian  title  to  al)out  fifteen  millions  of 
acres  of  land  was  extinguished;  and  the  United  States  paid 
Georgia,  in  money,  one  million  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars  in  lien  of  lands  which  had  been  ceded  to  the  Indians. 

These  various  and  s\iccesst'"ul  efforts  to  fulfil  the  intention  of  the 
compact  of  1S02,  so  early  as  ISll  alarmed  the  Creeks.  In  order 
to  arrest  this  inroad  u])on  their  domain,  they  enacted  a  law  in  that 
year,  at  Broken  Arrow,  forbidding,  under  the  jienalty  of  deatli,  the 
sale  of  any  more  lands,  e\'cc[)t  by  the  chiels  of  the  nation,  ratified 
in  general  council.  This  law  was  formally  re-enacted  in  1S'2I,  at 
the  Polecat  Springs     Mcintosh  is  said  to  have  proposed  this  law. 

After  the  treaty  of  IS'-il,  various  unsuccessful  efforts  were  made 
to  consummate  the  stip.dations  of  the  compact  of  1802;  but  the 


McINTOSII. 


30)) 


Creeks  refused  to  listen  to  any  overtures.  Meanwhile,  llic  Execii- 
livc  of  Georgia  became  impatient  of  the  delaj',  and  opened  a  highly 
excited  and  painful  correspondence  witli  die  government  at  "Wash- 
ington, in  whicli  llie  President  was  charged  with  bad  faith;  and, 
among  otlier  tilings,  with  attempting  to  defeat  tlie  object  of  the 
treaty,  by  the  introduction  of  schools,  anil  otlier  plans  of  civilization 
and  improvement  among  the  Indians.  If  yon  enlighten  the  Indians 
as  to  the  value  of  their  possessions,  it  was  argued,  you  increase  the 
diflioiilty  of  obtaining  their  consent  to  part  with  tliem.  It  was 
answered  by  the  Federal  Executive,  that  every  ihing  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States  had  been  done  in  good  faith;  and  the 
improvement  of  the  Indians,  which  was  complained  of,  was  only  a 
continuation  of  the  policy  adopted  by  Washington,  and  continued 
throughout  the  successive  adtninistrations  to  the  present  time.  This 
policy,  whicli  one  would  think  needed  no  defence  before  a  civilized 
and  Christian  people,  was  maintained  by  unanswerable  arguments. 
No  efforts,  consistent  with  princi|)le,  were  spared  by  the  Executive 
at  Washington  to  gratify  the  desires  of  Georgia,  nor  did  Congress 
ever  refuse  the  means  to  effect  a  purchase  of  all  the  lands  held  by 
the  Creeks  within  her  limits. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  administration  of  President  Monroe, 
Messrs.  CamplK'U  and  Mcrriwether  were  appointcnl  commissioners 
to  make  another  attempt  to  treat  with  the  Creek  Indians.  Letters 
were  received  at  Washington  from  tlie  commissioners,  impiiring 
wiiether  the  Executive  would  recognize  a  treaty  entered  into  \\  ilh 
Mcintosh?  They  were  answered  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  Mr. 
Calhoun,  that  no  treaty  would  be  respected  unless  made  with  the 
cliiefs  of  the  nation  Meanwhile  the  commissioners  called  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Indians  at  ihv  Indian  Sjirings,  a  reservation  occu|)ied  by 
Mcintosh,  Among  those  wjio  attended  was  the  chief  of  1'uckha- 
liatchee.  When  the  jiroposition  was  made  by  the  coimnissioncr.s, 
to  ])urchase  th(Mr  country,  that  chief  rose  and  said  :  "  You  asked  us 
to  sell  you  more  lands  at  Broken  Arrow;  we  told  you  we  had  noije 


310 


BIOGRAPHY. 


to  spare.  I  told  Mclntosli  then,  that  he  hicw  no  land  could  be  sold 
except  in  full  council,  and  by  consent  of  the  nation."  The  chief 
then  added,  "  We  have  met  here  at  a  very  short  notice — only  a  few- 
chiefs  are  present  from  the  upper  towns;  and  many  are  absent  from 
the  lower  towns."  He  concluded  by  s;iyinir,  "that's  all  the  talk  I 
have  to  make,  and  I  shall  go  home."  Whereupon  he  left  the 
ground,  and  returned  to  Tuckhabatchee.  Though  Mcintosh  had 
attended  the  meeting  to  sell  the  country,  he  is  said,  at  this  point, 
to  have  wavered.  He  looked  round  among  the  Indians,  but  saw  no 
chief  of  influence,  except  Etomie  Tustennuggee,  whose  consent  he 
had  procured  to  his  scheme.  The  commissioners,  however,  intent 
upon  the  treaty,  calmed  the  fears  of  Mcintosh  by  a  promise  of 
protection  from  the  United  States.  The  treaty  which  had  been 
prepared  was  read,  and  signed  Ijy  the  commissioners,  by  "  William 
Mcintosh,  head  chief  of  the  Con-etas''' — next  by  Etomh  Tustennug- 
gee, by  his  X,  and  by  thirteen  others,  who,  though  chiefs,  were  of 
inferior  rank ;  and,  lastly,  by  about  fifty  men  of  no  rank  or  power 
whatever,  many  of  them  being  of  tlie  lowest  and  most  degraded  of 
their  countrymen. 

This  treaty  was  execiited  at  the  Indian  Springs,  on  the  12th  of 
Februar}-,  1S25,  and  on  the  2(1  of  March  following,  reached  W^ish- 
ington.  The  very  speed  by  wliicli  it  had  been  transmitted  indicated 
the  fears  entertained  by  the  commissioners,  and  by  Georgia,  that  the 
nation  would  protest  against  it,  and  cause  its  rejection.  The  Creek 
agent,  Colonel  Crowell,  sent  with  it  to  Washington  a  protest  against 
its  validity.  This  confirmed  the  apprehensions  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  who,  as  it  was  generally  understood,  preferred  delaying  its 
submission  tothe  Senate  until  further  information  could  be  received 
from  the  Indians,  or  to  reopen  the  negotiation  with  a  view  to  obtain 
the  ratification  of  the  treaty  by  the  acknowledged  chiefs  of  llio 
nation.  It  was  feared  that,  if  the  treaty  should  prove,  so  far  as  the 
Creek  nation  was  concerned,  invalid,  its  ratification  by  the  Senate 
would  create  intense  excitement,  and  be  the  signal  for  bloodshed 


McINTOSH. 


311 


among  the  Indians.  President  Monroe,  however,  tlionght  proper 
lo  lay  the  treaty  before  the  Senate,  togetlier  with  the  agent's  pro- 
test, and  leave  it  to  that  body  to  decide  as  in  its  wisdom  it  might 
think  best,  lie  was  led  to  this  course  by  tlie  consideration  that 
the  term  of  his  oHice  was  about  to  close.  The  treaty  was  accord- 
ingly sent  to  the  Senate,  and  was  ratified  on  the  7th  of  March, 
1525.  Meanwhile  Mr.  Adams  had  succeeded  to  the  presidency — 
ihe  treaty  was  returned  to  him  from  the  Senate,  and  apjnoved. 

The  Creuk  nation  had  now  become  greatly  excited ;  and  Mcin- 
tosh, fearing  the  result,  claimed  protection  I'rom  Georgia.  We 
believe  it  was  promised.  The  Creeks,  however,  had  resolved  on 
revenge.  Menawa,  who.se  likeness  has  appeared  in  this  work,  and 
who  is  called  the  "Great  Warrior,"  was  commissioned  by  the  chiefs 
to  raise  a  party,  to  march  to  the  Indian  Springs,  and  execute  the 
judgment  of  their  law  upon  Mcintosh,  on  his  own  hearth-stone, 
They  were  also  directed  to  slay  Etomie  Tustennuggee,  and  any 
other  chiefs  who  had  acceded  to  the  treaty.  With  the  usual 
jjromptitude  of  the  Indians,  in  the  prosecution  of  bloody  business, 
Menawa  was  soon  at  the  head  of  one  hundred  of  his  Oakfuskoe 
braves,  and  after  a  rapid  march  arrived  before  the  house  of  the 
fated  Mcintosh,  before  day,  on  the  morning  of  the  first  of  May, 
just  seventy-seven  days  after  the  signing  of  the  treaty.  The  house 
having  been  surrounde.1,  Menawa  sj)oke: — "Let  the  white  people 
who  arc  in  this  house  come  out,  and  .so  will  the  women  and  chil- 
dren. We  come  not  to  injure  them.  Mclnto.sh  has  broken  the 
law  made  by  himself,  and  w"  have  come  to  kill  liim  for  it."  This 
summons  was  obeyed  Ijy  all  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  Mcintosh's 
son,  Chilly,  who,  having  signed  the  treaty,  was  in  the  list  of  medi- 
tated victims,  was  enabled,  by  his  light  complexion,  to  pass  out 
with  the  whites,  and  escaped.  Only  two  remained,  and  tlicse  were 
Mclntosli  and  Etomie  Tustennuggee.  The  house  was  fired;  the 
two  victims,  forced  by  the  llanics,  appeared  at  the  door,  wliere  thev 
were  received  by  a  shower  of  bullets,  and  instantly  killed.  A  half- 
40 


312 


BIOGRAPHY. 


breed,  named  Sam  Hawkins,  was  taken  the  same  day,  and  hanged ; 
and  Ben,  his  brother,  also  a  half-breed,  was  fired  upon  and  severely 
wounded,  but  escaped.  IMenawa  was  careful  to  give  out  that  the 
while  pco])le  sliould  not  be  molested ;  that  the  Creek  nation  meant 
only  to  punish  those  who  had  violated  their  law. 

This  bloody  tragedy  greatly  excited  the  people  of  Georgia.  Go- 
vernor Troup  threatened  vengeance.  It  was  feared  that  the  btate 
of  Georgia  might  make  it  necessary  for  the  general  government  to 
interfere,  and  that  these  two  powers  miglit  come  in  collision.  Pre- 
sident Adams,  however,  met  the  crisis  with  coolness  and  resolution, 
and  at  length  the  fever  abated,  and  Georgia,  though  still  demanding 
the  possession  of  all  the  Indian  lands  within  her  limits,  subsided 
into  comparative  (piiet.  Upon  minute  inquiry  into  the  circum- 
stances of  the  treaty  of  the  Indian  Springs,  it  was  abandoned,  and 
a  new  treaty  was  made  at  Washington  on  the  4th  of  January,  1826. 
The  first  article  of  the  treaty  of  Washington  declared  the  treaty  of 
the  Indian  Springs  "to  be  null  and  void,  to  every  intent  and  pur- 
pose whatever;  and  any  right  or  claim  arising  from  the  same,  is 
declared  to  be  cancelled  and  surrendered." 

It  is  not  difficult  to  imagine  the  inducements  which  led  Mcintosh 
to  enter  upon  this  treaty  in  defiance  of  the  law  of  his  nation,  and 
its  bloody  penalty.  He  probably  foresaw  that  his  people  would 
have  no  rest  within  the  limits  of  Georgia,  and  perhaps  acted  with 
an  honest  view  to  their  interests.  The  intercourse  he  had  enjoyed 
with  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  the  triumph  of  their  arms 
over  the  desperate  valor  of  the  Indians,  which  he  had  witnessed  at 
Autossee,  the  Horseshoe,  and  in  Florida,  induced  him  to  believe  he 
would  be  safe  under  the  shadow  of  their  protection,  even  from  the 
vengeance  of  his  trilje.  But  there  were,  besides,  strong  appeals  to 
his  cupidity,  in  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  of  the  Indian  Springs, 
and  its  supplements.  By  one  of  these,  the  Indian  Spring  reserva- 
tion was  secured  to  him;  and  l)y  anotlicT  it  was  agreed  to  pay  him 
for  it  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.    Moreover,  the  second  article  of 


McINTOSH. 


313 


tlio  ireaty  provided  for  tlic  payment  to  the  Creek  nation,  of  four 
liiindred  thousand  doHars.  Of  this  sum  ho  would  of  course  have 
received  liis  share.  Such  inducements  might  have  been  sufficiently 
powerful  to  shake  a  virtue  based  upon  a  surer  foundation  than  the 
education  of  a  heathen  Indian  could  afford.  Besides  this,  he  was 
flattered  and  caressed  by  the  commissioners,  who  were  extremely 
eager  t  >  complete  the  treaty,  and  taught  to  believe  that  he  waa 
consulting  the  ultimate  advantage  of  the  nation.  These  consi- 
derations, in  some  measure,  remove  the  odium  from  his  memory. 
But  it  must  still  bear  the  stain  which  Indian  ju.stice  affixes  to  the 
reputation  of  the  chief  who  sells,  under  such  circumstances,  the 
graves  of  his  fathers. 

Out  of  this  occurrence  arose  two  parties  among  the  Creek  In- 
dians. One  was  composed  of  the  bulk  of  the  nation,  the  other  of 
the  followers  of  Mcintosh,  headed  by  his  son,  Chilly.  The  latter 
were  intent  on  immediate  removal.  To  aid  them  in  this,  the  treaty 
of  Washington,  of  January,  1826,  provided  for  an  examination  of 
the  country  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  for  the  distribution  of  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  among  the  friends  and  followers  of  the 
late  General  Mcintosh,  if  their  party  .should  number  three  thousand 
l)er.sons;  fifteen  thousand  to  be  paid  immediately  after  the  ratifi- 
cation of  the  treaty,  and  the  residue  on  their  arrival  west  of  the 
Mississippi.  Provision  was  also  made  to  ascertain  the  damages 
sustained  by  the  friends  and  followers  of  General  ?\TcIntosh,  in 
consequence  of  the  treaty  of  the  Indian  Springs,  and  contrary  to 
the  laws  of  the  Creek  nation. 

Every  disposition  was  manifested  by  the  general  government  to 
heal  those  breaches,  and  ([uiet  tho.se  animosities  which  had  been 
produced  by  that  unfortunate  treaty.  No  subsequent  collisions 
happened  between  the  parties. 

The  Creek  nation  were  not  long  permitted  to  retain  an  inch  of 
ground  in  Georgia.  The  treaty  of  \\'as]iington  provided  for  a  ces- 
sion of  the  wliole  of  it,  except  a  small  strip  on  the  Chatahouchee. 


314 


BIOGRAPHY. 


This,  Georgia  insisted  on  liuving.  In  1827,  a  special  comuiissioii 
was  made  out,  directing  Colonel  McKenney,  after  he  should  have 
executed  certain  trusts  confided  to  him,  as  joint  connuissioner  wit!) 
Governor  Cass,  in  the  Lake  Country,  to  pass  over  to  the  Missis 
sippi,  descend  the  river,  and  thence  proceed  into  the  country 
occupied  by  the  four  southern  tribes,  to  negotiate  with  the  Creeks 
for  the  remnant  of  their  inheritance  in  Georgia.  This  duty  was 
performed.  A  treaty  was  concluded  on  the  15th  of  Novoml)cr, 
1827,  and  ratified  on  tlie  Itli  of  March  following,  which  quieted 
for  ever  the  controversy  between  Georgia  and  the  United  States, 
so  far  as  it  related  to  the  Creek  Indians. 

The  Creeks  retired  to  their  possessions  in  Alabama.  But  they 
were  not  long  left  in  peace  even  there.  That  state  demanded  their 
removal  from  her  limits,  and  was  soon  gratified  by  the  general 
government.  A  final  treaty  was  made  witli  this  wretched  people. 
Subdued  in  spirit,  and  impoverished,  they  at  length  yielded  to  the 
power  more  than  the  persuasion  of  the  whites,  and  crossed  the 
Mississippi.    Their  present  condition  is  said  to  be  deplorable. 

Mclnto.sli  died  as  he  had  lived,  bravely.  He  knew  the  fate  that 
.awaited  him,  and  met  it  like  an  Indian  warrior.  Having  been 
thrown  into  the  society  of  the  more  polished  of  our  people,  and 
having  been  the  associate  of  our  oflicers  in  the  wars  on  our 
southern  borders,  he  had  acquired  all  the  manners  and  much  of 
the  polish  of  a  gentleman.  He  lived  in  great  comfort;  possessed 
slaves,  wliom  he  treated  kindly,  and  at  his  death  was  about  forty 
years  old. 

We  do  not  know  enough  of  his  family  to  furnish  a  sketch  of  its 
members.  Chilly  Mcintosh  is  an  intelligent  young  man  of  good 
manners,  and  has  considerable  influence  with  his  people,  who  emi- 
grated witli  him  to  the  west.  One  of  his  dauglitcrs,  wc  believe, 
married  a  Mr.  Hawkins,  a  sub-agent  of  the  government 


NAWKAW. 


The  countenance  of  this  chief  is  prepossessing,  and  indicative 
of  his  true  cliaracter.  He  was  a  firm,  sagacious  man,  of  i,nri-.ht 
deportment,  and  pacific  .iisposition,  who  filled  his  station  w^ith 
dignity,  and  commanded  respect  by  his  fidelity  to  his  encra.re- 
ments.  II.s  name  is  less  expressive  than  most  of  those  which  are 
borne  by  Indians  of  reputation-the  word  Nawkaw  sirr„ifvin<r 
W.  He  was  of  the  Winnebago  tribe,  and  of  the  Carolanie  o^r 
Walking  Turtle  family,  which  is  of  Ihe  highest  distinction  The 
name  Caromanie,  among  the  Winnebagoes,  implies  rank  and  di- 
n.ty,  conveys  the  idea  of  sovereignty,  and  is,  therefore,  hi-rhfy 
respected;  for  this  people,  like  all  other  savages,  have  an  inherent 
veneration  for  hereditary  greatness. 

This  chief  was  the  head  of  his  tribe,  who  inhabited  a  broad 
and  beautiful  country,  lying  between  the  Mississippi  and  Lake 
Michigan,  and  spread  out  in  plains  of  great  extent,  fertility,  and 
magnificence.     His  residence  was  at  the  Big  Green  Lake,  which 
IS  situated  between  Green  Bay  and  Fort  Winnebago,  and  is  about 
hirty  miles  from  the  latter.     Although  a  warrior  bv  profession 
he  successful  leader  in  many  a  fight,  he  was  a  person  of  excellem 
disposition,  who  preferred  and  courted  peace;  and  his  upri-^ht  con- 
duct, in  connection  with  his  military  talents,  caased  him  to  be 
respected  and  beloved.     His  conduct  was  patriarchal,  and  his  suay 
that  of  the  parent  rather  than  the  master. 

In  the  recent  war  lietween  the  United  States  and  the  Sauks  and 
Foxes,  It  was  feared  tliat  the  Winnebagoes,  inhabiting  the  countrv 

(315) 


316 


BIOGRAPHY. 


irrirncdiutcly  north  of  the  hostile  Indians,  would  unite  with  ihem, 
and  forming  a  powerful  combination,  would  dcn'astale  the  defence- 
less frontier,  before  our  government  could  adopt  measures  for  its 
relief  The  o])portunity  was  a  tempting  one  to  a  savage  tribe, 
naturally  disposed  to  war,  and  always  prepared  for  its  most  sudden 
exigencies;  and  many  of  the  Winnebagoes  were  eager  to  rush  into 
the  contest.  But  the  policy  of  Nawkaw  was  decidedly  pacific,  and 
liis  conduct  was  consistent  with  his  judgment  and  his  professions. 
To  keep  his  followers  from  temptation,  as  well  as  ij  place  them 
under  the  eye  of  an  agent  of  our  government,  he  encamped  with 
them  near  the  agency,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Kinzie,  expressing 
on  all  occasions  his  disapprobation  of  the  war,  and  his  determina- 
tion to  avoid  all  connection  with  those  engaged  in  it.  The  Indian 
tribes  are  often  divided  into  parties,  having  their  respective  leaders, 
who  alone  can  control  their  partisans  in  times  of  excitement.  On 
this  occasion,  the  more  respectable,  and  by  far  the  most  numerous 
part  of  the  Sauk  and  Fox  nation,  headed  by  Keokuk,  the  proper 
chief,  remained  at  peace,  while  a  faction,  called  the  British  hand, 
was  led  headlong  into  a  disastrous  war  by  Black  Hawk,  a  warrior 
having  no  lawful  rank,  and  his  coadjutor,  the  Prophet.  Among 
the  Winnebagoes  a  similar  division  occurred;  a  few  restless  and 
unprincipled  individuals  giving  loose  to  their  propensity  for  blood 
and  plunder  by  joining  the  war  parties,  while  the  great  body  of 
the  tribe  remained  at  peace,  under  the  influence  of  their  venerable 
chief. 

Having  narrated,  in  the  historical  part  of  this  work,  the  interest- 
ing story  of  the  surrender  of  Red  Bird,  we  shall  only  advert  to 
that  circumstance  here  for  the  purpo.se  of  remarking,  that  Nawkaw 
took  an  active  and  judicious  part  in  that  melancholy  and  singular 
affair.  He  exerted  his  influence  to  have  tlie  murderers  arrested 
and  delivered  up  to  the  oflicers  of  our  government;  but,  having 
thus  discharged  his  duty,  he  was  equally  diligent  in  his  endeavors 
to  obtain  for  them  the  pardon  of  tlie  President.     For  this  purpose 


NAWKAW. 


817 


ho  visited  Washington  in  ISlii),  iicconiimnied  by  fifteen  of  his  cliiet 
men;  and  it  was  at  that  time  that  the  portrait  whicli  \vc  have 
co[)ied  was  taken.  lie  is  represented  in  tlie  attitude  of  addressing 
the  President,  and  in  tlie  act  of  cxtendinj^j  towards  hiin  his  cahmiet 
at  tlie  conchision  of  liis  speeeli. 

The  intercession  of  Nawkaw  was  successful;  the  clemency  of 
the  President  was  extended  to  the  wretched  men  then  lying  cap- 
tive in  the  prison  at  Prairie  du  Chien — but  unfortunately  too  late. 
The  Indian,  accustomed  to  unlimited  freedom,  languishes  in  con- 
finement. The  Red  Bird  was  a  high-spirited  warrior,  unused  to 
restraint,  and  habituated  to  roam  over  boundless  plains,  with  a  step 
as  unfettered  as  that  of  the  wild  horse  of  the  Prairie.  The  want 
of  exercise  and  the  privations  of  impri-sonment  destroyed  his 
health,  broke  his  spirit,  and  hurried  him  to  a  premature  grave, 
lie  died  before  the  news  of  his  pardon  reached  him. 

We  shall  conclude  this  article  with  a  few  anecdotes  of  Nawkaw 
and  his  companions.  In  conducting  these  persons  to  W^ashington, 
it  was  deemed  proper  to  lead  them  through  some  of  the  principal 
cities,  where  they  might  witness  the  highest  evidences  of  our 
wealth,  power,  and  civilization.  Their  conductors  were  Major 
For.sythe  and  Mr.  Kinzie,  the  latter  of  whom  speaks  the  lan- 
guages of  the  north-western  tribes  with  tluency,  and  to  him  are 
we  indebted  for  these  facts. 

While  at  New  York,  the  Winnebago  deputies  attended,  by  invi- 
tation, a  balloon  ascension  at  the  Battery.  At  this  beautiful  spot, 
where  the  magnificence  of  a  city  on  the  one  hand,  and  a  splendid 
view  of  one  of  the  noblest  harbors  in  the  world  on  the  other,  com- 
bine to  form  a  land.scape  of  unrivalled  grandeur,  thousands  of 
spectators  were  assembled  to  witness  the  exploit  of  the  aeronaut, 
and  to  behold  the  impression  which  would  be  made  upnu  the 
savage  mind  by  so  novel  an  exhibition.  The  chiefs  and  warriors 
were  provided  with  suitable  places,  and  many  an  eye  was  turned 
m  anxious  scrutiny  upon  their  imperturbable  countenances  as  they 


■~\ 


318 


HIOGKAPHY. 


gazod  in  silence  upon  the  balloon  asci'miiny  into  the  upper  atnn/ 
sj)hpre.  At  length  Nawkavv  was  asked  what  he  thought  of  the 
ueronauls?  He  replied  eoolly — "1  tluuk  they  are  Tools  to  trille  iii 
that  way  witli  their  lives — what  good  does  it  do.'"  Beiui:  asked  it' 
he  had  ever  Ix'lore  seen  no  many  people  assembled  at  one  time,  he 
answered,  "  We  have  more  in  our  smallest  villajres." 

AVhile  at  Wasliinirtou  they  were  lotlgcd  at  a  public  hotel,  and 
regaled  in  the  most  plentiful  and  sumptuous  manner;  notwith- 
standing wliich,  when  about  to  leave  the  city,  Nawkaw  complained 
of  the  quality  of  the  food  placed  upon  his  table.  Such  a  remark 
from  an  Indian,  whose  cookery  is  the  most  unartifieial  imaginable, 
and  whose  notions  of  neatness  are  far  from  being  refined,  was  con- 
sidered singular;  and  on  inquiry  being  made,  it  turned  out  that  a 
j)iece  of  roast  beef,  which  had  been  taken  from  the  table  untouched, 
was  ])laced  a  second  time  before  these  fastidious  gentlemen,  who, 
on  their  native  prairies,  would  have  devoured  it  raw,  but  who  now 
considered  their  dignity  infringed  by  .such  a  procedure.  Being 
asked  if  the  beef  was  not  good  enougli,  he  rej)lied,  that  "there 
were  plenly  of  turkeys  and  chickens  to  be  had,  and  he  cho.se  them 
in  preference." 

On  their  way  home,  at  the  first  place  at  which  they  stopped  to 
dine,  after  leaving  Baltimore,  they  sat  down  at  a  well-furnished 
table.  A  fine  roasted  turkey  at  the  head  of  the  board  attracted 
their  attention,  but  keeping  that  in  reserve,  they  commenced  uj)on 
a  chicken-pie.  While  thus  engaged,  a  stmnger  entered,  and  taking 
his  seat  at  the  head  of  the  table,  called  for  a  jtlate.  The  Indians 
became  alarmed  for  the  turkey,  cast  significant  glances  at  each 
other,  and  eyed  the  object  of  their  desire  with  renewed  eagerness. 
They  inquired  of  each  other,  in  subdued  accents,  what  was  to  be 
done — their  plates  being  well  supplied,  they  could  not  ask  to  be 
h(>lpe(l  again,  yet  the  turkey  was  in  imminent  jeopardy.  The 
stranger  was  evidently  hungry,  and  he  looked  like  a  man  who 
would  not  trifle  with  his  knife  and  fork.     Luckily,  however,  he 


NAWKAW. 


319 


was  not  yet  supplied  with  these  necessiiry  implements;  there  was 
a  moment  still  left  to  l)e  improved,  and  the  red  "gentlemen,  haviajj 
cleared  their  plates,  ocenpied  it  i)y  dividing  amoii;^  them  an  apple- 
pie,  which  (piickly  vanished.  A  clean  plate,  knife  and  fork  were 
now  placed  before  the  stranger,  who  was  about  to  help  himself, 
when,  to  his  astonishment  and  utter  discomfiture,  one  of  the  In- 
ilians  rose,  stei)ped  to  the  head  of  the  table,  and  adroitly  fixing  his 
fork  in  the  turkey,  bore  it  off  to  his  comj)anii)ns,  who  very  gravely, 
and  without  appearing  to  take  the  least  notice  of  the  details  of  the 
exploit,  commenced  dividing  the  sjunl,  while  the  stranger,  recover- 
ing from  his  surprise,  broke  out  into  a  loud  laugh,  in  which  the 
Indians  joined.  . 

As  the  pjirty  receded  from  the  capital,  the  fare  became  more 
coarse,  and  the  red  men  Ijegan  to  sigh  for  the  fat  poultry  and  rich 
joints  that  were  left  behind  them.  And  now  another  idea  occurred 
to  their  minds.  Having  noticed  that  payment  was  made  regularly 
for  every  meal,  they  inquired  if  all  the  meals  they  ate  were  paid 
for,  and  being  answered  in  the  aflirmative,  each  Indian,  on  rising 
from  the  table,  loaded  himself  with  the  fragments  of  the  feast,  until 
nothing  remained.  When  they  observed  that  this  conduct  was 
noticed,  they  defended  it  i)y  remarking,  that  the  provisions  were 
all  paid  for. 

It  has  been  well  said  that  there  is  but  a  step  between  the  sub- 
lime and  the  ridiculous;  and  this  aphorism  is  strikingly  illustrated 
in  the  conduct  of  savages  or  unedncatod  men.  The  Indian  has 
some  heroic  traits  of  character;  he  is  brave,  patient  und(M-  fatigue 
or  privation,  often  generous,  and  sometimes  tenacious  of  the  point 
of  honor,  to  an  extreme  which  has  scarcely  a  parallel,  except  in  the 
records  of  chivalry.  In  all  that  relates  to  war  or  the  covmcil,  they 
are  systematic,  and  the  leading  men  exhibit  much  dignity  and 
consi.stency  of  character.  As  hunters  they  are  keen,  skilful,  and 
diligent;  as  warriors,  bold,  sagacious,  and  persevering  Btit  when 
the  Indian  is  taken  from  this  limited  circle  of  duties,  and  thrown 
41 


320 


BIOGRAPHY. 


into  rnntact  with  llie  white  man,  in  social  intercourse,  his  want  oi 
vcrsatiht}'',  and  deficiency  of  intellectnal  resources,  often  degrade 
him  at  one  '  into  meanness  and  puerility.  For  a  time  he  may  dis- 
\i\\\sv.  himself  in  hi  hal)itual  gravity,  and  his  native  shrewdness, 
and  prv-'sence  of  mind  may  enable  him  to  parry  any  attemjits  to 
prv  into  liis  thoughts,  ()r  throw  iiim  oil'  his  guard,  but  the  sequel 
inevitably  betrays  the  jiaueity  of  the  savage  mind.  Thus  the  chiefs 
and  warriors  of  whom  we  have  spolvcn  were,  some  of  them,  distin- 
guished warrior  ,  and  others  eminent  in  council;  but  wlien  thrown 
out  of  their  proper  sphere,  and  brought  into  familiar  contact  with 
strangers,  lliey  become  the  sul)jects  of  anecdotes  such  as  we  have 
rel;ited,  and  which,  except  the  (irst  one,  would  be  too  trilling  for 
repetition,  were  th.'y  not  illustrative  of  the  peculiarities  to  whicii 
we  have  adverted 

\\  lien  at  \\  ashington,  in  1S29,  Nawkaw,  in  speaking  of  his  own 
age,  called  himself  ninety-four  winters  old.  He  died  in  \S'-V-i,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-eight,  and  was  .succeeded  in  liis  rank 
and  honors  by  his  nephew,  who  was  worthy  to  inherit  them.  Tiie 
l;>Uer  is  a  person  of  t(>mperate  habits,  who  abstains  entirely  from 
the  use  of  ardent  spirits.  He  also  is  Caroiuanic,  and  has  assumed 
the  name  of  his  luicle. 

Nawkaw  was  a  man  of  large  stature  and  fine  presence.  He  was 
six  feet  tall,  and  well  made.  His  j)er.son  was  eiect,  his  muscles 
finely  developed,  and  his  appearance  such  as  indicated  activity  and 
great  strength.  Like  many  of  his  race,  he  was  remarkal)ly  fond  of 
dress;  and  <  veu  in  tlie  hist  days  of  his  protracted  life,  devoted  the 
mi  st  sedulous  care  to  the  decoration  of  his  per.son.  His  portrait 
allbrds  am,  le  evidence  of  his  taste;  tlu;  head-dress,  tiie  ear-rings, 
and  the  painted  face,  show  that  the  lal)ors  of  tlie  toilet  had  not 
been  performed  witlioui  a  full  share  of  the  time  and  study  due  to  a 
matter  ol'  so  much  importance;  wliile  the  three  mcd;ds,  presented 
to  hnu  at  dilfereiit  times,  as  the  head  of  liis  trii)e,  antl  as  ti)k"ns  of 
ri'Sjji  ct  for  himself,  are  indicative  of  his  rank,  and  are  wot'n  with 


NAWKAW. 


;J21 


as  much  jiriilc  and  as  much  propriety  as  the  orders  of  nohilily 
wliich  decorate  the  nobles  of  Europe. 

The  memory  of  thi^  Jlistinguished  chief  and  resnectahle  man 
is  clierished  by  his  people,  and  his  deeds  are  recounted  in  their 
songs.  lie  was  one  of  those  rul  rs  whose  wisdom,  courage,  and 
parental  sway,  endear  tliem  to  th  ir  people  while  living,  and  whose 
l)recepts  retain  the  force  of  laws  after  their  decease. 


CATAIIECASSA. 

The  Shawaiioe  nation  was  one  of  the  most  warlike  of  tlie  Nortli 
American  tribes.     Little  is  known  of  their  history  previous  to  the 
middle  of  the  last  century,  about  .v-hich  time  they  emigrated  from 
Florida,  under  rircumstances  which  lead  to  the  belief  that  their 
numbers  had  recently  been  much  reduced  by  war.    They  seem  to 
have  been  always  a  restless  and  enterprising  people;  for  althougli 
their  former  residence  was  unquestionably  upon  the  sea-coast,  they 
had  often  penetrated  to  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  in  tlieir  wars  .r 
hunting  expeditions.     On  their  removal  to  the  west,  a  portion  of 
them  settled   in  Ohio,  and  the  remainder  ascended  to  Western 
Virginia  and  Pennsylvania.    Immediately  after  the  peace  of  17G3, 
the  whole  nation,  consisting  of  four  tribes,  and  numbering  several 
thousand  warriors,  collected  upon  the  Miami,  at  Piqua,  where  they 
roa.nijied  until  tliey  were  dri\on  away  by  tlie  Kcntuckians,  at  the 
-\oH<:    I  the  revolutionary  war.    Tlieir  next  residence  was  on  tlie 
•.■\iti  u{  the  Maumee  of  Lake  Erie,  whence  they  removed,  after 
ui'    U  .i-.^-  of  Greenville,  to  Wapakonetta,  in  Oiiio;  and,  finally,  a 
remi.  n/  ,,f  al)out  eighty  souls,  to  which  this  once  fierce  and  power- 
ful nation  had  dwindled,  removed  in  lS;i.i  to  <he  western  shore  of 
the  Mississippi. 

Tliese  extensive  wanderings  are  to  be  attributed,  in  part,  to  the 
erratic  propensities  of  the  Lidians;  but  in  many  cases  they  are  the 
result  of  force,  either  of  tribe  against  tribe,  or  of  the  more  operative 
j)o\v(;r  of  tlie  white  man.  The  Indian  nations,  when  first  visited  hy 
Europeans,  appeared,  in  many  instances,  not  to  have  resided  long 

(.■]23) 


3-24 


BIOGRAPHY. 


iipDii  the  sjiols  wlicro  they  were  luiiiul.  Since  we  liavc  hiul  tlie 
oj)[)ortmiity  of  ol)sorving  their  luiljits,  we  have  seen  them  cou- 
tiuually  cliavigiiig  places;  but  in  many  cases  it  has  been  in  ])nrsuit 
of  the  game  wliicli  liad  receded  into  the  interior;  in  otliers,  tlicse 
migrations  were  caused  by  conflicts  among  themselves,  but  of 
later  years  especially,  by  the  wiongs,  the  injustice,  and  the  power 
of  the  white  ma', 

Wc  are  not  inl  i  'to  the  cause  which  drove  tlio  Shawanese 
from  Florida;  or  whj  sing  over  the  prolific  borders  of  the  Ohio, 
which  are  known  to  have  abounded  in  game  at  that  time,  a  portion 
of  them  shoidd  wander  to  a  more  northern  and  less  fertile  region 
Judging,  however,  from  tlieir  subsequent  history,  we  may  suppose 
tliat  they  were  induced  Ijy  the  rumor  of  wars  between  the  English 
and  French,  to  approach  the  scene  of  action,  in  searcii  of  plunder. 
We  hear  of  them  first,  at  the  memorable  defeat  of  Braddoclv.,  in 
1755.  That  battle  holds  a  melancholy  pre-eminence  in  the  annals 
of  border  waifare.  It  was  one  of  the  earliest  occasions  on  which 
the  savages  dared  to  attack  a  regidar  force;  and  the  entire  annihi- 
lation of  a  nun.3rous  and  well  appointed  army  of  European  troojis, 
ffave  them  a  confidence  which  led  to  a  lonij  series  of  disasters.  In 
the  hostilities  which  succeeded,  and  continued  with  little  intermis- 
sion for  forty  years,  the  Shawanese  were  among  the  most  daring, 
audacious,  and  persevering  of  our  foes.  They  were  conspicuous 
actors  in  the  sanguinary  battle  at  Point  Pleasant,  where  General 
Lewis,  at  the  head  of  a  gallant  'nand  of  Virginians,  defended  his 
position  successfully  against  a  vigorous  and  obstinate  attack  made 
by  a  numerous  body  of  savages.  In  the  campaigns  of  Ilarmer,  St, 
Clair,  and  Wayne,  th(^y  were  foremost  in  every  l)atlle;  while  the 
earlv  settlers  of  Western  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  Ohio,  fimnd 
tiii'm  ever  the  inveterate  and  uncompromising  foes  of  the  white 
man.  They  were  considered  as  not  only  warlike,  but  treache'-ous 
and  intriguinfr;  and  some  of  the  other  tribes  accused  thein  of  being 
the  instigators  of  those  destructive  wars  which  for  many  years  dis- 


CATAIIECASSA. 


:i-2Ci 


lis 

Wt 

11  le 

8t, 

ho 

lid 

uto 

MIS 

illg 

lis- 

turbed  our  borders,  and  were  not  less  disastrous  to  the  Indians  than 
to  tlui  civilized  settlers  of  llie  wilderness.  They  asserled  that,  after 
})eace  had  been  made,  and  when  the  other  tribes  were  disposed  to 
ol)serve  their  treaties  in  good  faith,  the  Shawaneso  would  secretly 
provoke  the  whites  by  committing  a  murder,  or  by  some  other  act 
of  hostility,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave  it  doubtful  who  was  tlie 
real  ofieudcr.  Tiie  whites,  in  retaliation,  would  attack  the  nearest 
\  illage,  or  the  first  ])arty  of  Indians  who  might  fall  in  their  way, 
and  all  the  tribes  in  their  vicinity  would  become  entangled  in  the 
war.  There  miglit  lie  sonic  exaggeration  and  some  truth  in  these 
statements,  but  there  is  litth'  question  that  this  nation  was  daring, 
restless,  and  treacherous.  They  retained  this  cliaracter  to  the  last. 
During  a  period  of  several  years  preceding  ISll,  the  famous  Te- 
cumthe,  and  his  brother  the  I'rophet,  kejit  the  frontier  in  a  state  of 
continual  alarm  by  their  intrigues  and  depredations.  In  the  last 
mentioned  year  they  made  an  audacious  and  well-concerted  attack 
on  the  American  army,  commtmded  by  General  Harrison,  and  were 
severely  chastised  by  that  iiitrej)id  oflicer ;  and  during  the  war 
lietween  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  which  immediately 
succedeed,  this  tribe  engaged  with  alacrity  in  the  British  canse, 
and  were  continually  in  the  Held,  until,  by  the  death  of  Tecumthe, 
and  tlie  lAss  of  many  of  their  warriors,  the  spirit  of  the  nation  ^\as 
broken  down. 

Engaged  continually  in  war,  the  leading  men  of  the  Shawanoe 
nation,  (>ver  since  that  people  has  lieen  known  liy  tiie  wliites,  were 
])ersons  of  ability  and  courage.  The  most  conspicuous  of  tho.se  who 
lived  in  our  own  times  were  Catahecassa,  or  Bhick  Hoof — Sheme- 
netoo,  or  the  Snake,  and  Tecumthe. 

Black  Hoof  was  one  of  the  greatest  warriors  of  his  race,  and  it  is 
supposed  that  few  individuals  have  ever  been  engaged  in  so  many 
liattles.     III!  was  pri'sent  at  \]\v  ilefeat  of  Braikiock  in  IT")'),  and 
fought  tliroiigh  all  the;  sub,se(|ueiit  wars  until  the  treat\' of  (Jreeii 
ville   in  IT'.io.     Among  the  Indians  none  are  compelleii  to  go  to 


y2G 


BIOGRAPHY. 


battle;  public  opinion  is  the  oul}-  law  by  which  any  individual  is 
bound  to  perform  military  .servii-e;  and  tlio  war  chiefs  have  no 
autliority  but  such  as  is  derived  from  llio  voluntary  obedience  of 
their  followers.  When  a  warrior  conceives  liimself  capable  of  lead- 
ing  an  enterprise,  he  forms  his  [)lans,  announces  his  intention,  and 
publicly  appoints  a  time  and  place  at  which  ho  may  be  met  by 
those  who  may  be  disposed  to  join  him.  When  the  party  is  assem- 
bled, properly  equipped,  painted,  and  prepared  in  all  respects,  the 
leader  explains  his  whole  plan,  which  is  usually  assented  to;  if 
any  warrior,  however,  chooses  to  malvc  a  susjcfestion,  it  is  listened 
to  with  respect,  and  duly  weighed;  l)nt  after  the  whole  plan 
has  been  concerted,  the  leader  assumes  the  responsibility  of  its 
execution,  and  his  followers  render  him  the  most  implicit  obe- 
dience throutjbout  the  enterprise.  The  number,  therefore,  and  the 
cliaracter  of  the  party,  are  determined  by  the  reputation  of  him 
who  proposes  to  take  the  direction.  If  tlie  invitation  is  given  by  a 
person  of  little  reput",  few  acccj't  it,  and  those  few  are  warriors  of 
inferior  note,  or  youth."-  who  are  willing  to  embrace  any  occasion  to 
go  to  war;  while,  on  tliu  oihc;  iiand,  the  bravest  warriors  will  enlist 
eagerl}^  under  (me  who  has  already  gained  distinction.  In  other 
ca.'<es,  where  the  leader  is  respectable,  but  not  eminent,  he  is  fol- 
lowed by  his  personal  friends,  or  by  a  small  band  who  may  be 
gained  by  solicitations,  or  induced  by  the  prospect  of  plunder.  An 
ambitious  young  warrior,  who  is  desirous  to  become  a  war  chief,  but 
has  not  yet  established  any  claims  to  popular  favor,  will  sometimes 
induce  two  or  three  of  his  friends  to  accompany  him  on  a  liostile 
expedition;  and,  if  successful,  will,  on  the  next  occasion,  be  able  to 
enli.st  a  larger  train.  The  practical  cfToct  of  this  system  is  obvious. 
The  warrior  wlio,  in  leading  a  small  party  at  the  commencement 
of  his  career,  discovers  sagacity,  coolness,  cunning,  and  patience, 
gains  the  confidence  of  his  tribe,  and  if  fortune  continues  to  smile, 
rises  gradually  into  a  partisan  of  established  reputation,  while 
another,  equally  brave,  who  betrays  a  want  of  talent,  sinks  into 


CATAIIECASSA. 


327 


the  ranks,  and  ceases  to  be  regarded  as  a  suitable  person  to  com- 
mand in  war. 

The  success  of  Black  Hoof,  both  in  planning  and  in  execution, 
was  so  great  that  he  gained  the  entire  confidence  of  his  nation,  and 
conld  always  conunand  the  services  of  anv  numl)er  of  volnntetTs. 
lie  was  known  far  and  wide,  as  the  great  ?>ha\\anoe  warrior,  whose 
miming,  sagacity,  and  experience,  were  only  equalled  ])y  the  fierce 
and  desperate  bravery  with  which  he  carried  into  operation  his 
military  jilans.  Like  the  other  Shawanoe  chiefs,  he  was  the  inve- 
terate foe  of  the  white  man,  and  held  that  no  peace  shoidd  be 
made,  nor  any  negotiation  attempted,  except  on  the  condition  that 
the  whites  should  repass  the  mountains,  and  leave  the  great  plains 
of  the  west  to  the  sole  occupancy  of  the  native  tril)es. 

He  was  the  orator  of  his  trilie  during  the  greater  part  of  his 
long  life,  and  was  an  excellent  speaker.  The  venerable  Colonel 
Johnston,  of  Piqua,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  much  valuable 
information,  describes  him  as  the  most  graceful  Indian  he  had 
ever  seen,  and  as  possessing  the  most  natural  and  happy  faculty 
of  expressing  his  ideas.  lie  was  well  versed  in  the  traditions  of 
his  people;  no  one  under.stood  better  their  peculiar  relations  to  the 
whites,  whose  settlements  were  gradually  encroaching  on  thein,  or 
could  detail  with  more  minuteness  the  wrongs  with  which  his 
nation  was  afflicted.  But  although  a  stern  and  uncomproinising 
opposition  to  the  whites  had  formed  his  ])olicy  through  a  series  of 
forty  years,  and  nerved  his  arm  in  a  hundred  battles,  he  Ijecame  at 
h'ligth  convinced  of  the  madness  of  an  ineffectual  struggle  against 
a  vastly  su})erior  and  hourly  increasing  foe.  No  sooner  had  he 
satisfied  himself  of  this  truth,  than  he  acted  upon  it  with  the 
decision  which  formed  a  jirominent  trait  in  his  character.  The 
temporary  success  of  the  Indians  in  several  engagements  previous 
to  the  campaign  of  General  Waviie,  had  kejjt  alive  their  expiring 
hopes;  but  their  signal  defeat  by  that  gallant  otricer,  convinced  the 
more  rellectiiig  of  their  leaders  of  the  desperate  character  of  the 
42 


328 


BIOGRAPHY. 


coiidict.  Bhick  Hoof  was  among  those  who  docided  upon  making 
terms  with  the  victorious  American  commander;  and  having  sitrned 
the  treaty  of  1795,  at  Greenville,  he  remained  faithful  to  his  sti[)u- 
lations  diu'ing  the  remainder  of  his  life.  From  that  day  he  ceased 
to  he  the  enemy  of  the  white  man;  and  as  he  was  not  ojie  who 
;"ould  act  a  negative  part,  he  hecame  the  firm  ally  and  friend  of 
those  against  whom  his  tomahawk  had  heen  so  long  raised  in  vin- 
dictive animosity.  He  was  their  friend,  not  from  sympathy,  or 
Ca,  wiction,  hut  in  obedience  to  a  necessity  which  h.'ft  no  middle 
course,  and  luider  a  belief  that  submission  alone  could  save  his 
tribe  from  destruction;  and  having  adopted  this  policy,  his  sagacity 
and  sense  of  honor  alike  forbade  a  recurrence  either  to  open  war  or 
secret  hostility. 

C'atahecassa  was  the  principal  chief  of  the  Shawanoe  nation, 
and  possessed  ;dl  the  influence  and  authority  which  arc  usually 
attached  to  that  office,  at  the  ])eriod  when  Tecumthe,  and  liis 
brother  the  Prophet,  commenced  their  hostile  operations  against 
the  United  States.  Tecumthe  had  never  been  reconciled  to  the 
whites.  As  sagacious  and  as  brave  as  Black  Hoof,  and  resem- 
bling him  in  the  possession  of  all  the  better  traits  of  the  savage 
character,  he  differed  widely  from  that  respectable  chief  in  ins 
political  opinions.  They  were  both  patriotic,  in  the  proper  scn.se  of 
the  word,  and  earnestly  desired  to  preserve  the  remnant  of  tlieir 
tribe  from  the  destruction  that  threatened  the  whole  Indian  race. 
Black  Hoof,  whose  long  and  victorious  career  as  a  warrior  placed 
his  courage  far  above  suspicion,  submitted  to  what  he  believed 
inevitable,  and  endeavored  to  evade  the  effects  of  the  storm  by 
bending  beneath  its  fury ;  while  Tecumthe,  a  younger  man,  an 
influential  warrior,  but  not  a  chief,  with  motives  equally  public 
spirited,  was  no  doubt  biassed,  unconscioiisly  to  himself,  by 
personal  ambition,  and  suffered  his  hatred  to  the  white  man  to 
overmaster  every  other  feeling  and  consideration.  The  one  was 
a  leadi     of  ripe  fame,  who  had  reached  the  highest  place  in  his 


CATAHECASSA. 


3-29 


nation,  and  could  adbrd  to  retire  from  tlio  active-  scenes  of  war- 
fare; the  other  was  a  candidate  for  higlier  honors  tlian  lie  had 
yet  achieved;  and  bolli  miirlit  have  been  actuated  by  a  common 
impulse  of  rivalry,  which  induced  them  to  espouse  dilTerent  opi- 
nions, in  op[)osition  to  each  other. 

During  several  years  immediately  preceding  ISll,  the  British 
cabinet  prosecuted  with  renewed  vigor  their  favorite  policy  of 
exciting  the  western  savages  into  active  hostilities  against  the 
United  States.  The  agents  of  that  government  traversed  the  fron- 
tier, holding  councils  with  the  Indians,  and  seeking  to  inflame 
them  by  artful  harangues,  or  to  briix;  them  by  liberal  presents. 
The  success  of  these  intrigues  is  too  well  known.  The  tomahawk 
and  firebrand  were  again  busied  in  tlie  fearful  work  of  desolation, 
and  a  merciless  war  waged,  not  against  tlic  lorts  and  armies  of  the 
American  government,  but  upon  the  property  and  lives  of  indi- 
viduals, upon  the  fields  and  firesides  of  a  scattered  population  of 
enterprising  farmers. 

Tecumtlie  engaged  eagerly  in  tliese  scenes,  and  devoted  all  the 
energies  of  his  bold  genius  to  his  darling  scheme  of  fomenting 
the  discord  which  should  bring  about  a  general  war  between  the 
Americans  on  one  side,  and  the  united  Indian  tribes  on  the  other. 
Aided  by  his  brother  the  Prophet— a  deceitful,  treacherous,  but 
cunning  man,  he  endcavor<>d  to  enlist  his  own  nation  in  the  o-n-at 
conspiracy,  but  found  an  insurmountable  obstacle  in  the  deter- 
mined o{)position  of  Black  Hoof,  who,  having  made  a  treaty  of 
pi-ace  with  the  United  States,  resolved  to  maintain  his  plighted 
faith.  In  vain  did  Tecumtlie  intrigue,  harangue,  and  threaten; 
in  vain  did  the  pretended  Prophet  jiractise  his  incantations— 
equally  in  vain  did  the  British  agent  spread  out  his  alluring  cargo 
of  trinkets  and  munitions.  Black  Iloof  preserved  his  integrity; 
the  older  and  more  reputal)le  part  of  the  tribe  adliered  to  him; 
while  the  young  and  thoughtless,  tiie  worthless  and  dissolute, 
joined  by  a  similar  class  from  other  tribes,  followed  the  Prophet 


•,iM 


niOGRAlMIY. 


to  his  now  town,  and  connncncod  a  system  of  robbery  and  murder, 
which,  doiiblless,  formed  the  extreme  point  to  wliicli  either  he  or 
they  had  extended  tlicir  views — wliile  tlic  more  politic  Tecunithe 
regarded  them  as  a  mere  banditti,  puslied  forward  to  embroil  the 
English  witli  the  Americans,  and  to  force  the  savage  tribes  into 
a  general  war.  The  firmness  with  which  Black  Hoof  stood  aloof 
on  this  occasion,  and  his  success  iu  restraining  the  majority  of 
his  nation,  showed  alike  liis  prudence,  his  foresight,  and  his 
popularity.  His  course  was  honorable  to  his  judgment  and  his 
integrity. 

Another  trait  in  the  character  of  this  Indian  is  highly  creditable, 
and  indicates  a  perception  of  the  social  virtues  not  usually  found  in 
savage  life.  He  lived  forty  years  in  harmony  with  one  wife,  and 
reared  a  numerous  family,  whom  he  treated  with  kindness,  and 
by  whom  lie  was  greatly  beloved.  The;  policy  of  the  Indians,  in 
this  respect,  is  not  fully  understood.  They  permit,  but  do  not  in 
general  encourage,  polygamy.  There  is  no  law  nor  cu.slom  ainoug 
them  which  forbids  a  plurality  of  wives;  but  they  do  not  consider 
it  creditable  for  any  man  to  marry  more  women  than  he  can  sup- 
port; and  it  is  even  considered  a  proof  of  wealvuess  for  a  warrior  to 
encumber  himself  with  loo  large  a  family.  The  capacity  to  support 
a  family  differs  among  them,  as  with  us,  though  not  to  the  same 
extent.  Their  chief  dependence  for  food  being  on  the  chase,  the 
most  expert  himter  is  best  able  to  provide  a  subsistence;  and  the 
evils  of  poverty  are  most  severely  felt  by  those  who  are  lazy,  ])hysi- 
cally  weak,  or  destitute  of  sagacity  in  finding  game.  Those  who 
have  estaljlished  a  reputation  in  war  or  in  hunting,  have  each  a 
small  train  of  friends  and  defenders,  composed  of  their  sons  and 
nephews — of  youth  who  attach  Cliemselves  to  an  experienced  man 
for  the  benefit  of  his  counsel  or  protection,  or  of  the  improvident, 
who  need  a  leader.  When  a  distinguished  warrior,  tlieretbre, 
speaks  of  his  yoiuif/  men,  he  alludes  to  this  train  of  relatives  or 
pupils,  who  support  him  in  his  ([uarrels,  and  follow  him  to  the 


CATAHECASSA. 


881 


cliasc;  while  a  chief  employs  the  same  form  of  expression  in  a 
more  enlarged  sense,  as  applicable  to  the  young  warriors  of  his 
nation.  This  o.\j)lanation  adurds  a  key  to  one  of  the  sources  of  the 
sliglit  distinction  in  rank  which  exists  among  the  Indians.  Dis- 
tinction in  war  or  hunting  draws  around  its  i)osse.ssor  a  band  of 
two  or  three,  or  .sometimes  more,  devoted  followers,  who,  in  a 
society  where  force  is  often  the  only  law,  increase  the  power  of 
their  leader,  while  they  add  to  his  wealth  by  attending  him  in  the 
chase,  and  thus  increasing  his  means  of  procurirg  food.  A  warrior 
of  this  rank  may,  with  jirojjriety,  grace  his  wigwam  with  several 
wives,  and  may  even  require  the  .services  of  more  tlian  one  to  carry 
home  his  game,  and  perform  the  drudgery  of  his  numerous  family; 
while  the  improvident  or  unsuccessful  hunlcr,  or  a  youth  who  must 
rely  entirely  upon  himself,  may  not  venture  to  indulge  him.self  with 
the  same  liberality.  These  distinctions  are  closely  observed  by  the 
Indians  in  every  tribe  with  which  wo  are  acquainted,  and  nothing 
more  certainly  provokes  their  contempt  llian  the  marrying  an  un- 
reasonable number  of  wives.  Black  Hoof,  as  we  have  seen,  wa.s 
satisfied  with  one;  Tecumthe  had  but  one  at  a  time,  while  the 
hypocritical  Prophet,  who,  from  laziness  or  incapacity,  was  not  an 
active  hunter,  maintained  a  numb(>r  of  wives,  who  were  supported 
by  the  contributions  which  he  artfully  levied  upon  his  credulous 
followers.  The  two  former  were  respected  as  men,  even  by  their 
enemies,  while  the  latter,  as  soon  as  he  ceased  to  be  sustained  in 
his  imposture  by  his  politic  and  manly  brother,  sunk  into  disrepute. 
lie  died  recently  in  Missouri. 

An  intelligent  gentleman,  who  spent  many  years  among  the 
Shawanesc,  in  the  discharge  of  public  duties,  and  was  often  ac- 
companied in  long  journeys  through  the  wilderness  ])y  Black 
Hoof,  describes  him  as  a  lively,  agreeable,  and  instructive  coni- 
])anion.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  he  shot  a  deer  when  he  was 
more  than  ninety  years  of  age.  lie  preserved  his  eyesight  to  tlie 
last,  and  never  used  or  needed  glasses,  nor  was  known  to  be  sick. 


889 


niorjuAPHY. 


He  was  a  small  man,  ahoiit  five  I'cct  v'\)S,]d  indies  in  lici^rjit,  well 
proportioned  and  active,  and  had  a  remarl<al)ly  intellii,rent,  conn- 
tenimce.  He  died  at  Wapakonnetta  in  ISMl,  at  tiic  age  of  from 
one  Imndred  and  live  to  one  hundred  and  twelve  years. 

There  was  a  j)ecidiarity  in  the  eloquence  of  this  chief  which  dis- 
tinguislied  him  from  the  speakers  of  his  race,  who  are  usually  grave 
and  monotonous.  He  generally  commenced  his  puhlic  harangues 
with  some  pleasant,  faeistious,  or  striking  remark,  thrown  out  to 
please  his  audience,  and  gain  their  attention.  Ho  would  [)lay 
awhile  around  his  subject,  until  he  saw  the  rigid  features  of  the 
stern  warriors  around  him  beginning  to  relax,  and  then  dive  into 
it,  becoming  more  earnest  as  he  proceeded,  until  at  last  the  whole 
energy  of  his  vigorous  mind  was  concentrated  into  a  powerful  and 
well-digested  elfort. 

It  would  be  unjust  to  omit  a  feature  in  the  character  of  Catahc- 
cassa  which  reflects  upon  him  the  highest  credit.  The  practice  of 
burning  prisoners  at  the  stake  was  not  only  prevalent  among  the 
western  tribes,  but  was,  we  think,  resorted  to  with  the  greatest  fre- 
quency, and  attended  with  the  most  brutal  circumstances,  during 
the  wars  in  which  the  Shawanese  bore  a  consjiicuous  part,  autl  in 
which  Black  Hoof  was  a  prominent  leader.  They  did  not  sacrifice 
them  to  the  Great  Star,  or  any  other  favorite  deity,  as  among  the 
Pawnees,  but  generally  in  revenge  for  their  losses  or  their  wrongs. 
Notwithstanding  tlie  determined  hostility  of  this  chief  towards  the 
whites,  he  invariably  opposed  that  atrocious  custom,  and  has  often 
declared  Uiat  he  never  wibiessed  such  occurrences  but  twice,  on 
both  of  which  occa.sions  he  was  present  accidentally.  We  are  hap])y 
to  record,  that  the  more  intelligent  of  the  principal  men  of  the 
Shawanese  coincided  in  condemning  these  shocking  cruelties. 
Tec'unthe  was  never  known  to  insult  a  prisoner;  and  on  .several 
occasions  during  llie  last  war,  he  upbraided  the  British  oflicers  for 
their  cruel  treatment  of  captive  Americans.  Anotlier  Shawanoo 
chief  the  aged  Biaseka,  or  the  Wolf,  once  returned  home  after  an 


CATAHECASSA. 

ubMonce  of  scvcrul  moiiflis,  ami  liiiilinjr  tho  villnfr,.  ui-.uly  drscrlcd, 
waj  informed  tluit  llic  pcoplo  wcro  ciitrair,-,!  in  huriiiiiira  prisoner,' 
l)oyoii.l  tJK)  preei.u'ls  of  tlic  Unvn.  Witl.o.it  corninMnit-ati.ifr  his 
intent  ions,  ho  loaded  a  i)ist()l  and  j)roceede<l  to  tlie  spot.  The 
wretched  captivo  was  I)onnd  to  the  stake,  the  tondi  ready  to  be 
applied,  and  a  feroeioiis  nmhitudc^  ea-rerly  waitinjr  to  <r!ut  their 
savage  appetite  with  tlio  miseries  of  the  victim.  Tho  chk;f  passed 
throu^rh  11,0  crowd  witliout  speaking  to  any  one,  and,  approacliing 
the  pri.soner,  placed  the  pistol  to  Ids  liead,  and  hlew  out  Ids  brains 
—coolly  remarking,  that  he  di.saj)proved  of  tlie  torture  of  a  defence- 
less person,  and  had  prevented  it  by  despatching  the  captive. 


KEOKUK. 


The  Sanks  and  IMiit^quakees,  more  usually  called  the  Sacs  and 
l''oxcs,  liaviu-r  loi-  many  years  resided  together,  form  now  a  single 
community,  divided  oidy  l)y  certain  inlernal  regulations,  by  means 
of  '.vjiich  each  portion  kecp.s  uj)  its  distinctive  name  and  lineage. 
The  individuals  and  families  adhere  carefully  to  certain  customs 
which  distinguish  them,  and  which  have  thus  far  prevented  them 
from  being  merged  the  one  in  the  other.  They  have  separate  chiels, 
who,  at  the  sittings  of  councils,  and  on  other  occasion.s  of  ceremony, 
claim  t.  he  recognized  as  tlu^  representatives  of  independent  triljes; 
but  they  are  in  eflect,  one  people,  and  Keokuk,  who  is  the  head 
man  of  the  Sauks,  is  the  ostensible  and  actual  leader  of  the  united 
nation. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  these  two  tribes  were  oritrinally 
one.  They  both  acknowledge  a  conunon  descent  fVom  the  great 
Chippeway  stock,  ;ilthough  the  tradition  which  has  preserved  this 
fact  retains  no  trace  of  the  progressive  .  eps  by  \\liich  tliev  ac- 
quired a  distinct  language,  (uid  Ix'came  a  .separate  people.  The 
word  J^auk  is  derived  from  the  compound  dsair/rcktc,  which  signi- 
fies i/rl/otr  rart/t,  while  IMusrpiakee  comes  from  mrsqudvcr,  or  red 
earth — showing  a  similaritv  of  name,  which  slroiiylv  iniicates  an 
identity  of  origin.  Nor  is  it  dillicult  to  imagine  tha'  .sik  h  a  sepa- 
ration may  have  occurred,  without  leavinu'  anv  decisive  remem- 
brance of  the  rupture.  In  the  jjredatory  and  I'rratic  life  led  bv  the 
Indians,  it  is  not  uncommon  for  a  party  to  bi-come  disimited  from 
the  main  body  of  the  nation,  and,  in  process  of  time,  to  form  u  dis- 

( Mo  ) 


4a 


33(5 


BIOGRAPHY. 


tinct.  triljo.  The  sepuration  bccoiiics  the  more  coinpleto,  in  coiise- 
(luoncc  of  the  want  of  a  writtLMi  laiigiia^fe,  to  fi.v  and  preserve  tlie 
connnon  tongue  of  the  dispersed  ineinhors  of  a  nation;  and  as  tlie 
Indian  dialict  is,  from  this  cause,  continually  lliictuating,  the  colony 
soon  loses  one  of  the  strongest  ties  which  would  otherwise  Ijind  it 
to  the  niotlier  nation.  Numerous  as  are  the  dialects  spoken  In-  the 
various  tri'jcs  in  North  America,  Mr.  Gallatin  has  very  successfully 
trac(!d  then  to  a  (ew  sources. 

The  former  residence  of  the  Sauks  was  on  the  banks  of  the  8t. 
Lawrence,  wlience  they  were  driven  by  the  Si.v  Nations,  with 
whom  they  carried  on  a  long  and  liloody  war.  As  they  retired 
towards  the  west,  tiiey  became  embroiled  wilii  tlie  Wyaiidots  and 
were  driven  further  and  further  along  the  .shores  of  the  lakes,  until 
they  foiHid  a  temporary  resting-place  at  Green  Bay.  Here  they 
were  joined  by  the  Mus([uakees,  who,  having  been  so  greatly  re- 
duced by  war  as  to  i)e  unable  to  maintain  themselves  as  a  sefjarate 
people,  sought  refuge  among  their  kindred.  La  Ilontaii,  under  tlie 
date  of  KiSi),  speaks  of  "  tlic  villages  of  the  Sakies,  the  Potawati- 
mies,  and  the  Malhominies,"  on  Fox  river,  and  of  a  house  or  college 
cstablisiied  there  by  'he  .lesuits;  and  llenepin,  in  lOSO,  speaks  of 
the  Outauamies,  ui  Foxes,  wdio  dwelt  on  the  Hay  of  Puants,  or 
Green  Bay.  The  Sauks  soon  removed  to  the  portage  between 
the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers,  and  aflerwards  to  the  left  bank  of 
the  Mississippi,  below  the  Wisconsin.  It  is  proljable  that  they 
gained  useful  experience  in  the  hard  school  of  adversity.  In  the 
long  series  of  hostihj  operations  in  which  they  had  been  engaged 
against  superior  numbers,  they  had  b":..mc5  very  warlike,  and  they 
now  prepared  to  art  upon  the  oiVensive. 

The  delightful  plains  of  Illinois  were  iidiabited  at  that  time  liy  a 
numerous  people  called  the  lllini,  or,  as  we  find  it  elsewhere  writ- 
ten, Linueway,  or  Minneway.  The  former  reading  is  that  of  Jon- 
tel,  a  French  ollicer,  who  visited  the  country  in  1683;  and  the  fact 
that  the  territory  iidiabited  by  that  nation  received  I'rom  the  earliest 


KEOKUK. 


837 


French  explorers  the  name  of  Illinois,  seems  lo  be  decisive  in 
tuvor  of  that  orthography.  In  the  inter])retation  of  the  \vor(l, 
liowever  spelled,  we  hiid  no  disagreement,  the  name  being  uni- 
formly translated  "men,"  or  "jjerfect  men."  This  nation  was 
divided  into  various  bands,  the  principal  of  which  were  the  Kas- 
kaskias,  Cahokies,  an(]  Tamarois,  in  the  .southern  part  of  the 
territory;  the  Michigamies,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Des  Moines,  and 
jM-obably  on  the  right  hank  of  tlie  Mississippi;  the  Pianke.shaws, 
near  Vinceimes;  tlie  Weas,  on  the  Wabasii  above  Vincenncs;  the 
Miainis,  towards  tiie  lakes;  the  Peorias,  on  the  Illinois  river;  and 
the  Mascos,  or  Mascontins,  ealled  by  liu;  French  "  Les  Gens  des 
Prairies,"  on  the  great  central  plains  Ijelween  the  \\'abasli  and 
Illinois  rivcr.s.  All  these  u.sed  the  language  which  is  now  s})oken 
by  the  Miamis;  and,  thouLth  scattered  over  a  wide  expanse  of 
country,  considered  themselves  as  one  people. 

Against  tliis  nation  tiic  Sauks  and  Muscpiakee.s,  in  kviLrue  with 
tlie  Chijjpeways,  the  Ut' iwas,  and  the  Potawatimies,  turn,  d   their 
arms;  while  the  Choctaws  and  Cherokees  at  the  same  time  invaded 
the  Illinois  country  from  the  south.     A  bloody  wa'     nsnci].  which 
lasted  many  years.     It  was  probably  an  unequal  ..iit.^t   between 
the  inliabitants  of  these  rich  plains  and  the  more  hardv  b-.irbarians 
of  the  north,  accu.stomed  to  the  rigors  of  an  inhospitable  clin.ute, 
and  to  tlie  vicissitudes  of  continuiil  warfare.     The  tribes  of  Illinois 
were   nearly   exterminated.     Of  a   population    which    must   have 
exceeded  fiftv  thousand,  not  more  than  five  hundred  now  remain. 
The  Miamis  and  Weas,  who  abandoned  the  countrv,  luunber  al)out 
four  luindred.     A  larger  number  of  the  Kaskaskias,  protected  by 
the  French  at  the  village  which  bears  their  name,  escaped  that 
war,  l)ut  many  of  them  were  afterwards  slaughtered  by  the  Kicka- 
poos,  and  intoxication  has  since  reduced  them  to  about  forty  souls. 
Of  tlie  Piankcshaws,  but  forty  or  lifty,  and  of  the  Peoria.s,  not  more 
than  ten  or  lifteen,  are  left.     The  Sauk.s  defend  the  exterminatin<>- 
policy  pursued  by  them  and  their  allies  in  this  war,  by  alleging  that 


33S 


BIOGRAPHY. 


the  lUiui  were  more  criu'l  tlian  otlicr  Indians,  and  always  burnea 
their  prisoners;  and  that,  in  retaliation,  they  adopted  the  practice 
of  delivering  over  siieh  of  the  lUini  as  fell  into  their  hands,  to  the 
women,  to  be  tortured  to  dealli. 

During  this  contest,  an  incident  occurred  which  may  be  men 
tioned  in  illustration  of  the  uncompromising  character  of  savage 
warfare.  On  the  shore  of  the  Illinois  stands  a  singular  rock,  risinsx 
perpcndicidarly  from  the  wfiter's  edge,  and  inaccessible  on  three 
sides;  while  on  the  fourth,  its  sununit,  which  is  level,  may  be 
reached  l)y  a  very  narrow  jiatlnvay.  A  part>-  of  the  Illiui,  hotly 
pursued  bv  their  enemies,  took  refuge  on  this  rock  with  their 
women  and  children.  Tliey  were  discovered  and  besieged;  and 
such  was  the  vigilanc  of  their  adversaries,  that,  althougli  certain 
death  by  starvation  awaited  tiiem  w  ithin  their  fortress,  they  were 
unal)le  to  eflect  a  retreat.  They  even  stationed  sentinels  in  canoes 
upon  the  river,  by  day  and  by  night,  to  defeat  any -attempt  of  the 
besieged  to  procure  water,  i)y  lowering  ves.sels  into  the  stream; 
and  the  wretched  garrison,  having  no  stores  nor  means  of  supply, 
began  soon  to  be  tortured  by  the  pangs  of  hunger  and  thirst.  They 
resolved  to  die  rather  than  surrender;  aud,  ibr  a  while,  consoled 
themselves  by  hurling  defiance  and  scoffs  at  their  foes.  At  length 
the}'  ceased  to  appear  upon  the  ramparts,  and  their  voices  were  no 
longer  heard.  The  besiegers,  cautious  to  the  last,  and  .secure  of 
their  prey,  delayed  making  any  attempt  to  enter  the  fortress  until 
so  long  ;i  time  had  elapsed  as  to  render  il  certain  that  famine  had 
performed  its  deadly  oihce.  A\  hen  at  1  i-l  they  ascended  to  the 
summit  of  the  rock,  but  one  soul  was  toiind  limbering  among  the 
carcasses  of  the  dead — an  aged  sipiaw  was  still  breathing,  and  lived 
many  years  in  captivity,  the  last  of  her  tribe.  The  "  Starved  Rock" 
is  .still  pointed  out  by  the  inhabitants  as  the  scene  of  this  heart- 
rending adventure. 

Having  possessed  themselves  of  the  country,  the  invaders  con- 
tinued to  pursue,  with  unrelenting  hostility,  the  scatteiud  remnants 


KEOKUK. 


889 


of  the  once  powerful  Illim,  wlio  lingered  for  protection  about  the 
settlements  of  the  French  and  Spaniards.  'J'iieir  last  attempt  to 
destroy  this  unhappy  jieople  was  in  177'J,  when  they  approached 
St.  Louis  willi  fifteen  hundred  braves,  in  search  of  a  small  band 
of  Pcorias,  supposed  to  be  lurking  in  that  vicinity.  The  Spanish 
governor  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the  representations  of  the  inhabit- 
ants, who  believed  their  village  to  be  in  danger;  and  the  latter, 
unal)le  to  prevail  upon  him  to  put  the  place  in  a  post  lu-e  of  defence, 
sent  an  express  to  the  American  colonel,  George  Rogers  Clarke,  who 
was  then  at  Ka.skaskia,  to  .solicit  liis  protection.  Clarke  instantly 
marched  with  five  hundred  men,  and  encamped  on  the  left  bank  of 
the  river,  oj)posi1e  St.  Louis.  The  governor,  convinced  at  last  of 
the  hostile  intentions  of  the  Lidians,  who,  not  finding  mo  Illini 
were  marching  upon  St.  Louis,  ])ecame  jjanic-struck,  and  offered 
to  deliver  over  the  colony  to  Clarke.  The  latter  declined  an  offer 
which  he  had  no  authority  to  accept,  but  remained  in  his  camp, 
prepared  to  assist  the  iidiabitants,  if  required.  An  attack  was  made. 
Clarke  immediately  crossed  the  river  with  a  party  of  his  men,  but 
the  Lidians,  on  seeing  the  "Long  Knives,'"  as  the  Virginia  troops 
were  called  by  them,  ha.stily  retreated,  having  previously  killed 
about  seventy  of  the  Spaniards.  Colonel  Clarke  afterwards  sent  a 
detachment  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  who  scoured  the  country 
far  above  the  Sauk  village,  and  returned  without  molestation ;  tjie 
Lidians,  awed  by  tlie  boldness  of  this  measure,  declaring  that,  if  so 
few  dared  to  invade  their  country,  they  were  prepared  to  fight 
with  desperation. 

There  was  a  small  tril)e  of  Lnvays  in  tl.e  Illinois  country  at  the 
time  oi'  the  irruption  by  tiie  northern  Lidians,  who  were  probably 
themselves  intruders.  ]}eing  loo  weak  to  o])pos(!  tlie  invaders, 
tJKiy  received  tliein  hospitalily,  and  remained  at  peace  witli  them. 

Having  coiupiered  the  country,  tlie  iMu.-<r|uakees  estal>lisiied 
them.selves  on  Rock  river,  near  its  junction  with  tlie  ^Lssissipjii ; 
the  Suuks  soon  followed  them,  and  this  spot  became  the  principal 


310 


niOGRAPIIY. 


seat  of  llie  united  nation.  Tiie  wliolc  of  this  ivgioii  is  fertile  and 
])ictures(|iie  beyond  deserii)tii)n.  ll  is  u  country  of  jjraines — of 
niai4iiifieent  plains,  spreading'  out  in  every  direction  as  far  as  tiip 
eye  can  rt'acli,  and  w  hose  heautiful,  undulating  surface  is  elotlied 
with  a  (;arpet  of  the  richest  verdure,  studded  with  splendid  groves, 
giving  to  the  exti'udetl  landscape  an  air  of  ornate  elegance  and 
rich  enil)eliishinenl  such  as  is  seldom  beheld  in  tiie  scencu'y  of  ihe 
wilderuess. 

Tiie  Mississij)pi,  wiiicli,  l)elo\v  its  junction  with  the  Missouri,  is 
a  turl)id  stream,  meandering  through  low  grounds,  and  margined 
l)y  rnuddv  banks,  is  iiere  a  clear  and  rapid  river,  flowing  over 
l)eds  of  rock  and  gravel,  and  ijordered  by  the  most  lovely  shores. 
Nothing  of  tiie  kind  can  be  more  attractive  than  the  scenery  at  the 
I'pper  Kapids,  in  tlie  viciiiily  of  the  iSauk  and  Fox  viUage.  On 
tlie  western  shore,  a  series  of  slopes  are  seen  commencing  at  the 
gravelly  margin  of  the  water,  and  rising,  one  above  another,  with  a 
Ijarely  percc^ptiijle  aci'li\ity,  I'or  a  considerable  distance,  until  tlie 
back-ground  is  terminated  by  a  chain  of  beautifully  rounded  hiP.s, 
over  which  trees  are  thinly  .scattered,  as  if  jilanted  by  the  hand  of 
art.  This  is  the  singular  charm  of  prairie  scenery  :  although  it  be 
a  wilderness,  just  as  nature  mad(;  it,  it  has  no  savage  nor  repulsive 
ieatiire — the  verdant  carpet,  the  gracefully  waving  outline  of  the 
surface,  the  clumps,  the  grove.s,  and  the  scattered  trees,  give  it  the 
a|)|iearance  of  a  noble  park,  boundless  in  extent,  and  adorned  with 
exquisite  taste.  It  is  a  wild  but  blooming  desert,  that  does  not  awe 
ity  its  gloom,  but  is  gay  and  cheerful,  winning  by  its  social  aspect, 
as  well  as  b\'  its  variety  and  intrinsic  gracefulness.  The  eastern 
shore  is  not  less  beautiful.  A  iiroad  llat  jilain,  of  rich  alluvion, 
extending  from  the  water's  edge,  is  terminated  by  a  low  range  of 
wooded  hills.  A  small  collection  of  Indian  lodges  stood  on  this 
plain  when  the  writer  last  saw  it ;  l)ut  tin;  principal  villagi^  of  the 
►Sauks  and  Foxes  was  about  three!  miles  distant,  on  IJock  river.  In 
the  front  of  the  landscape,  and  presenting  its  most  prominent  lea 


KEOKUK. 


841 


« 


lure,  as  viewed  from  aii  ascondiiifr  Ijoal,  is  JJock  Islau'i,  on  the 
soutli(n-n  point  of  wldcli,  olovatcd  npon  a  parapet  of  rock-,  stands 
Fort  Armstrong.  Tiio  surronnding  region  is  hcaltliy,  and  amaz- 
ingly fruitful.  The  grape,  the  plum,  llie  gooseberry,  and  various 
other  native  fruits,  abound  ;  the  \v\U\  honeysuekle gives  its  perfume 
to  the  air,  and  a  thousand  indigenous  llowers  mingle  their  diversi- 
fied hues  with  the  verdure  of  the  pl;,in. 

These  ])rairi(;s  were  formerly  eovered   with  immense  herds  of 
bullalo,  and  abounded  in  game  of  every  dese,ri])tion.     The  rivers 
lurnished  excellent  (ish,  and  the  whole  region,  in  every  respect  so 
rich  in  the  i)ounties  of  nature,  must  have  formed  that  kind  of  para- 
dise of  which  alone  the  Indian  has  any  concejition.     If  e'er  there 
was  a  spot  on  earth  where  scenic  b(;auty,  united  with  fecundity 
of  soil  and  salubrity  of  climate,  could  exert  a  refining  influence 
u])on  the  liuman  mind,  it  was  here;  and  those  who  claim  for  the 
savage  an  Arcadian  simplicity  of  character,  or  who  sup])ose  the 
Inunan  mind  may  become  softened  by  the  genial  influence  of  cli- 
mate and   locality,  might  reasonably  look   here  for  effects  corre- 
sponding with  such  opinions.   Blessed  with  abundance,  there  could 
iiave  been  no  necessity  for  any  intrusion  upon  the  liunting-grounds 
of  other.s,  and  the  causes  of  war,  otlier  than  the  lust  Ibr  carnage, 
must   have  been   Ihw.     Surrounded    by  the   clioicest  beauties   of 
nature,  it  would  seem  that  a  taste  for  the  jjicturesque,  a  sense  of 
the  enjoyment  of  home  and  comfort,  and  an  ardent  love  of  country, 
would  have  been  iinplant(>(l  and  fostered.     But  wc  find  no  such 
results.     The  Sauks  of  Illinois  ])resented  the  same  character  half 
a  century  ago  which  they  now  exhibit.     They  are  savages  as  little 
ameliorated  !)y  place  or  circumstances  as  the  Osages  and  the  Ca- 
manches  of  the  farther  w.'st,  or  the  Seminoles  of  Florida,  and  are 
in  no  resi)ec,t  more  assimilated  to  civilized  men  than  the  wr(>tclied 
Chippewa  who  wanders  over  the  i)leak  and  sterile  shores  of  Lake 
Suj)erior. 

The  office  of  chief,  among  the  Sauk.s,   is  jjartly  elective,  and 


r,i2 


BIOfJIlAl'IIY. 


partly  licnvlitiiry.  Tlio  .-on  is  usually  cIkpscu  as  the  successor  of 
the  falliLM',  if  worthy,  but  if  \ir  lio  |)asst'(l  over,  tlic  most  iiicritoriinis 
of  the  fuiiiilv  is  selected.  'IMuTc  an;  several  of  these  diti'iiitaries, 
and  in  describing  their  relative  rank,  th(\v  narrate  a  tradition, 
\vhi(;b  we  siipposi!  to  bo  merely  ngurativ(\  They  .say  that,  a  great 
while  ago,  tinir  fathers  had  a  long  lodge,  in  the  centre  of  which 
were  ranged  four  iircs.  Uy  tlie  lirst  lire  stood  two  chiefs,  one  on 
tli(^  right  hand,  who  was  called  tlie  (J real  iJear,  and  one  on  the  let"t, 
called  the  Litth;  J?car.  Thcs«!  were  the  village  or  peace  chiefs. 
Tliev  were  the  rulers  of  the  band,  and  held  the  authority  that  wo 
should  describe  as  that  of  chief  magistrate — but  not  in  equal  degree, 
for  th(!  fireat  Bear  was  t/ic  chief,  and  tiie  other,  next  in  authority. 
At  the  second  fire  stood  two  chiefs,  one  on  the  right,  culled  the 
Crreat  Fox,  and  one  on  the  left,  called  the  liittle  Fox.  These  were 
the  war  chiefs  or  generals.  At  the  third  fu'o  stood  two  braves,  who 
were  called  respectively  the  Wolf  and  the  Owl;  and  at  the  fourth 
fne  were  two  others,  who  were  the  Eagle  and  the  Tortoise.  The 
last  four  w(U"(!  not  chiefs,  l)ut  braves  of  high  reputation,  who  occu- 
pied honorable  places  in  the  council,  and  were  persons  of  influence 
in  ])eace  and  war.  The  lodge  of  four  lires  may  have  existed  in 
fact,  or  the  tradition  may  be  merely  metaphorical.  It  is  quite  con- 
sonant with  the  Indian  character  to  describe  events  by  figures,  and 
tlie  latter,  in  the  confusion  of  bad  translations,  are  often  mistaken 
for  facts.  'J'iie  chiefs  actually  rank  in  the  order  pointed  out  in  this 
legend ;  and  the  nation  is  divided  into  families,  or  clan.s,  each  of 
which  is  distinguished  by  the  name  of  an  animal.  Instead,  how- 
ever, of  there  being  but  eight,  there  are  now  twelve. 

'J'ho  jilacc  of  peac(;  chief,  or  head  man,  confers  honor  rather  than 
power,  and  is  by  no  means  a  desirable  situation,  unless  the  incuni- 
IxMit  be  a  person  of  popidar  talents,  lie  is  nominally  the  lirst  man 
m  the  tribe.  lie  presides  at  the  councils  ;  all  acts  of  inqmrtance  are 
(lon(^  in  his  name;  and  he  is  saluteil  by  the  patriarchal  title  of 
Fitner.     But  his  power  and  influence  depend  entirely  uiion  his 


K'KOlvrk-, 


ai:! 


pcrsoiiiil  uiiulit  (if  ciiaractor;  and  uIumi  lie  liajipciis  to  l)o  a  weak 
man,  tlic  authorily  is  virtually  exorciscil  liy  tin;  war  cliicfs.     II(>  is 
usnally  [hmv.     \\  iiatcvcr  may  be  liis  skill  or  success  as  a  limittT, 
he  is  c(>iii[H'l!e(l  to  <,nv(>  away  liis  property  in  linspitality  or  l)ene\o 
leiice.     Jle  is  expected  to  l)e  airai)h!  and  generous,  must  entertain 
his  people  occasionally  with  feasts,  and  he  liberal  in  giving  pre- 
sents,    lie  must  i)ractise  the  arts  of  gaining  popularity,  which  are 
much  the  same  in  every  state  of  society,  luid  among  w  Inch  a  prodi- 
gal hospitality  is  not  the  least  successtul.     If  any  one  requires  to 
borrow  or  beg  a  horse  on  any  emergiMicy,  he  applies  to  the  chief, 
who  cannot   refuse  without  subjecting  himself  to  the  eharce  of 
meanness.     Not  unfrequently  the  young  men  take  his  horses,  or 
other  property,  without  leave,  when  he  is,  perhaps,  the  only  indi- 
vidual in  the  tribe  with  whom  such  a  liberty  could  be  taken  with 
impunity.     He  is  the  father  who  must  regard,  with  an  indulgent 
eye,  the  misdeeds  of  his  children,  when  he  is  himself  the  injured 
party,  but  who  must  administer  inile.\ible  justice  when  others  are 
aggrieved.     A  per.sou  of  energetic   character  may  mainlain  a  high 
degree  of  inlluence  in  this  station,  and  .some  who  have  held  it  have 
been  little  less  than  despotic;  but  wlien  a  man  of  little  capacity 
succeeds  to  the  hereditary  chieftaincy,  he  becomes  ;i  mere  tool  in 
the  hands  of  the  war  chiefs,  who,  having  command  of  the  braves 
and  young  men.  control  the  elements  of  power,  and  readily  obtain 
the  sway  in  a  community  essentially  martial,  where  there  is  little 
law,  and  le.ss  wealth.     The  jirincijial  war  chief  is  ol'ien,  thercl'ore, 
the  person  whose  name  is  most  widely  known,  and  he  is  fre(juentlv 
confounded  with  the  head  man.     The  station  of  war  chief  is  not 
hereditary,  nor  can  it  propt>rly  be  .said  to  be  elective;  for,  although 
in    some   cases  of  emergency,  a  leader  is  formally  cho.sen,  thev 
usually  aeciuire  n'j)utation  by  success,  and  rise  gradually  into  con- 
fidence and  connnand.     The  most  distinguished  warrior,  especially 
if  he  be  a  man  of  jjojiular  address,  becomes  l)y  tacit  consent  the 
war  chief. 


sw 


lUOCiRAl'HY. 


Wlicthor  the  eight  fires,  or  laiuilies,  iiieiitioned  above,  coiii{)rised 
at  any  period  tlie  whok-  tril)e,  we  cannot  ik'terniine.  'i'he  Sanks 
are  now  divided  into  twelve  I'aniiiies,  and  the  Muscjnakees  into 
eigiit;  and,  ahhongh  great  cure  is  taken  to  preserve  tiiis  distinc- 
tion, we  may  readily  sujipose  that  a  name  sonietinies  becomes 
extinct,  and  that  a  distingnislied  man  may  lound  a  new  I'amily. 

'I'iiere  is  another  division  pei'idiar  to  this  trilie,  which  is  verv 
singidar.  Every  mah'  child,  shortly  al't(n'  its  birth,  is  marked  with 
iviiile  or  hliu.k  paint,  the  mother  bi'ing  carelul  to  nse  the  two  colors 
alternately,  so  that  it  her  eldest  son  l)e  marked  with  black,  the 
second  will  be  distingnislied  by  white.  'I'luis,  if  there  be  an  ev(  n 
numlier  of  males  in  a  liunily,  tlie  number  marked  with  each  color 
respectively  will  be  e((ual,  and  the  whole  nation  will  be  nearly 
eqnally  divided.  The  colors  thns  given,  arc  appro])riated  to  the 
individuals  unchangeably  through  life,  and  in  painting  themselves 
u|)on  any  occasion,  those  of  the  one  party  use  white,  and  those  of 
the  other  black,  in  aildition  to  any  other  coU)rs  they  may  fancy,  all 
others  being  free  alike  to  the  whole  nation.  The  oltject  of  this 
custom  is  to  create  u  continual  enndation  between  the  two  parties. 
At  the  public  ball  phiying,  and  all  other  games,  the  whites  play 
against  the  blacks.  In  the  dances  of  ceremony  they  endeavor  to 
outdo  each  other;  and  in  war,  the  scalps  taken  l)y  each  party  arc 
numbered  against  tho.se  of  the  rival  division. 

The  chiefs  have  the  sole  management  of  the  public  ad'airs,  but 
the  braves  are  consulted  as  advisers,  and  have  great  inllucnce.  In 
the  councils  a  (piestion  is  not  usually  considered  as  decided,  unless 
there  is  a  unaiumous  voice.  The  discussions  are  deliberate  and 
grave,  seldom  disturjjed  by  inlhunmatory  appeals,  or  distracted  by 
llippant  or  unadvi.sed  counsels.  The  sj)eakers,  in  general,  prepare 
tliem.selves  carefully  beforehand.  Their  style  is  sententious  and 
ligurative,  but  their  speeches  are  weakened  by  the  lVe([uent  rej)o- 
tition  of  the  same  idea.  One  circumstance  in  regard  to  their  ])ublic 
speaking,  which  we  have  never  seen  noticed,  has  struck  the  writer 


KEOKUK. 


845 


forcil)Iy  on  sevfral  occiisioiis.  Tlit!  saiiic  ctitiucltc  uliicli,  in  tlii! 
j)iirliaiii('ii1;irv  Ixidifs  of  civilized  nations,  lurhids  llic  spcakfrs  to 
alliidi'  to  cacli  other  l)y  iiaiin',  prevails  anionic  tiieni.  W C  do  not 
pretend  to  say  tliat  tlie  praelii-e  is  invariaiile;  l)iit  wiiciiever  wo 
have  attended  tlieir  coiineils,  wo  noticed  tiiat,  in  eoMiineiitiny  on 
each  other's  s|)eeches,  they  used  expressions  such  as  "tiie  eliicf 
who  has  just  spoken,"  "the  I'hief  wlio  spoko  lirst,"  "one  of  niv 
brothers  has  said,"  with  oilier  eirciiinlooutioiis,  whiidi  were  ob- 
viously the  result  of  u  ^niarded  intention  to  avoid  a  more  direct 
allusion.  They  are,  however,  fond  ot'speakini^r  in  die  third  person, 
and  in  doiiijr  this  the  orator  often  uses  his  own  name. 

The  laws  of  this  nation  are  ihw  and  simple.  Debts  are  contracted 
but  seldom,  and  no  in<Mliod  oi"  enforcinir  payment  is  known.  I'he 
obligation  is  merely  honorable.  Jf  the  jjarty  is  unable  to  fuUil  his 
engagement  at  the  stipulated  time,  that  is  a  sulhcienl  excuse,  and 
the  failure,  under  any  .circumstances,  is  considered  as  a  trivial 
afiliir.  'I'his  arises  not  so  much  from  want  of  integrity  as  from  the 
absence  of  definite  notions  of  property,  and  of  the  obligations  con- 
sequent upon  its  possession. 

Civil  injuries  are  settled  by  the  old  men  who  are  friendly  to  the 
parties.  A  murder,  when  committed  by  on(!  of  the  nation  upon 
another,  is  seldom  punished  witii  death.  Although  the  relatives  of 
the  deceased  may,  as  in  all  the  Indian  tribes,  take  revenge,  this 
mode  of  reparation  is  discouraged,  aiicl  n  is  more  usual  to  accept  a 
compensation  in  property.  If  tlie  i)ai-ues  cannot  agree,  the  old  men 
interfere,  and  never  fail  to  eilect  a  com|)romise.  W'c  an;  not  aware 
of  any  ofl'cnce  which  is  considered  as  against  the  j)(>ace  and  dignity 
of  the  public,  or  is  ])unishable  as  a  national  allair,  except  aiding 
or  assisting  tlieir  enemies,  unless  it  be  some  dereliction  connected 
with  military  duty,  wliicli  always  receives  a  prompt  and  contempt- 
uous rebuke.  A  sentinel,  for  instance,  who  lu-glects  his  duty,  is 
publicly  flogged  with  rods  by  the  women.  The  traders  consider 
the  Sauks  and  Foxes  jierfectly  honest,  and  feel  safe  anionic  them 


KROKUK. 


847 


rest  of  the  trilic  i\|)|)(';ir  on  liiiit,  in  procpssii/U.^  ;iiii1  dllirr  I'crcrrin- 
iiioiis  occ.'iNioiis,  lie  had  llic  |iriviI(L;('  of  hcinn  inoiiiilcd,  iiiiil  iiiii;lit 
liiiVL'  Itccii  (iftcii  sci'ii  rid'iii^  alniic  and  pnuidly  aiiioiiM-  his  people. 

Sliorlly  al'lcr  tliis  invent,  and  while  Keokuk  was  yet  too  younir  to 
In;  admitted  to  the  conneil,  a  ninior  reached  the  villaire  that,  a  larj^ro 
body  of  American  troojis  was  approachini4'  to  attaidv  it.    .So  tbrmida- 
lile  was  this  enemy  considered,  that,  althouiih  still  distant,  and  the 
olijoet  oftlie  expedition  not  (lertaiidy  ascertained,  ii  great  panic  was 
excited   hy  tin;  inti'lliucnce,  and   the  council,  alter  revolving  tlio 
wholt!  matt(u-,  decided  upon  abandoning  the  village.     Keokidi,  who 
stood  near  the  entrance  of  the  conneil  lodge,  awaiting  the  result, 
no  sooner  heard   this  determination  than  he  stepped  forward  and 
begged    to    be    admitted.     The    nwpiest    was   granted,      lie   asked 
|ierinission  to  address  tin;  council,   which   was  accorded;    and  he 
^lood  up  for  the  lirst  tina;  to  speak  before  a  public   assend)lage. 
Having  stated  that  he  had  heard  witii  sorrow  the  decision  of  his 
elder  brethren,  he  j)roceeded  with  modesty,  but  witli  the  earnestness 
of  a  gallant  spirit,  to  dei)recate   an  ignominious  lliglit  before   an 
enemy  still  far  distant,  wliose  ntinibers  might  bo  exaggerated,  and 
whose  destination  was  unknown.     lie  pointed  out  the  advantages 
of  meeting   the  foe,  harassing  their   mandi,   cutting  them  n^)  iu 
detail,  driving  them  back,  if  po.ssible,  and  linally  of  tlying  honorably 
in  delence  of  their  liomes,  their  women,  and  their  ehiklren,  rather 
than  yielding  all  that  was  dear  and   valuable  without  striking  u 
l)low.     "Make  me  your  header !"'  he  exclaimed ;  '-let  your  young 
men  follow  nie,  and  the  pale  faces  siiall  ])e  driven  back  to  their 
towns  !     Let  the  old  men  and  tiie  women,  an<l  all  who  are  afraid 
to  meet  the  white  man,  stay  here;  but  let  your  braves  go  to  battle! 
1   will   lead   them."     This  spirited  address  revived   the  drooping 
courage  of  ijie   trilu-.     The   warriors  declared  their  readiness  to 
follow  Keokidi.     The  recent  decision  was  reversed,  and  Keokyk 
was  appointed  to  lead  the  braves  against  the  invaders.     The  alarm 
turned  out  to  be  false;  and  after  several  days'  march,  it  was  ascei 


848 


JJKXJUAl'll  V, 


taincd  that  the  Americans  had  taken  a  chflVrent  eniirse.     But  tlin 


•fiillanlrv  and  elo(|i]enee  of  Ivcoknk  in  chaiiirini^  tlie  |iusill:iiuiMiiiis 
poliey  at  first  ailoptt-d,  liis  onc'r;j:v  in  oriiaiii/in^'  tiie  {'ViJi'ditinn,  and 

d   iiim  in 


the  talent  for  comniand  discovered   in 


the   march,  [), 


tlie  (irsi  rank  anKint"'  tis    hraves  of  the  mtinn. 

Tlie  entire  absence  of  records,  liy  wliich  the  chronnlonv  ()l"e\-ents 
niij>iit  he  ascertained,  rcn<h'rs  it  iinpossihk;  to  trace,  in  the  order  of 
their  (hite,  the  st(>ps  liv  \\lii(di  this  reniarkal)le  man  rose  to  the 
elii(^f  place  in  his  nation,  and  aiMpiircd  a  connnanding'  and  perma- 
nent inllnenee  over  his  people.     We  shall,  therefore,  withont  refer- 


ence 


to   tl 


('    oi'der    111 


collected   with 


tliC    events,   present   such    tacts  as   we 

1 


iiav(! 


>reat  care,   partly    Irom    personid   ol)scrvation,  an 


partiv  from  the  testimony  o|"  gentlemen  whose  statiMncnts  mav  lie 
relied  on  as  authentic. 

Possessing  a  line  person,  and  fitted  with  courage,  prudence,  and 


el 


oquence,  Keokuk  s( 


on  I 


)ec 


me  the  t 


liief 


warrior  ol    Ins  nation, 


and  ifradually  acfpiired  the  direction  of  civil  allairs,  altiioiigh  the 
latter  coiitiinied  lor  many  years  to  Ik^  conducted  in  tlie  name  of  the 
hereditary  peace  chief  'J'lio  most  daring  and  graceful  rider  of  his 
nation,  he  was  always  well  mounted,  and  no  doiiht  owed  much 
ol'  his  popularity  to  his  imposing  appearance  when  eipiipped  for 
war  or  ceremony,  and  to  his  feats  of  horseiiianshij).  From  a  natur.il 
])ride.  or  from  piilic\.  he  always  maih'  tlie  most  of  this  advaii- 
tau'c  liv  indnlLnnu'.  at  ureat  expense,  his  love  >»f  fmc  horses,  and 
eostiv  caparisons,  and  e\hiliitiiiLr  himself  in  tiie  liest  manni'r  on 
pul)lic  ot'casions. 

Keokuk  was,  in  all  resjiects.  a  ma<_Miiliceiit  sa\aiie.      Bnld.  entcr- 
p.  ising,  and  impulsi\<',  he  was  also  politic   md  possessed  an  intiirmto 


kiio\vle;lgo  of  human  nat 


lire,  and  a  tai't  w  iii> 
d  iin 


nahled  him  to  bring 


the  re.sourci  s  o|  Ins  miiid  into  prompt  n|ieratioii.  Successful  iii  his 
undertakings,  \cl  there  were  a  freshness  and  entlnisi.asm  alioiit  him 
that  threw  a  tiiiL^'  of  romance  over  many  of  his  deeds,  and  wo  ild 
have  indicated  u  mind  acting  for  ell'ect  rather  than  from  the  dictates 


KEOKUK. 


849 


nf  policy,  had  tliore  not  l)o(-ii  al)iiii(liiiil  proofs  of  tlio  culiu  judgment 
which  fortiied  the  Ijasis  of  iiis  charaiiter. 

Keokuk  uas  fond  of  lravfliiii<r,  and  of  l)aviiig  visits  of  state  to  the 
iieiirliboriiiM'  tribes.     On  these  occasions  he  always  \\en1  in  an  ini- 
posinif  styh>,   wliich  diil   not  fiil   lo  make  a  favorai)le  impression. 
The  mild  season  of  aulunui,  so  peculiarly  delinhlful  in  the  prairie^ 
rcLrion  of  western  Ani(>rica,  u  us  the  time  chosin  for  tliesc  excursions, 
that  heinjj;  the  period  of  the  year  when  ifame  and  forage  are  aljuii- 
dant.     A  hand  of  forty  or  fifty  of  the  most  active  and  finest  looking 
young  men  were  selci  ted  to  accompany  the  chief,  all  of  whom  were 
well  mounted  and  com|iIctcly  cipiipptnl.    'i"he  chief  espociallv, spared 
no  e.vpen.si!  in  his  own  outlit.     'I'he  most  super!)  Iiorse  that  could 
he  procured.  th(!  most  showy  Spanish  saddle  and   housings,  arms 
of  faultless  workmanship,  a  robe  elaborateh  wrought  with  all  the 
coud)ined  taste  and  skill  of  his  six  wives,  iiud  a  pipe  of  state,  were 
duly  prepared.   A  ruumT  wasseut  forward  to  announce  his  intention; 
and  in  this  style  he  visit<'(l  some  one  o!'  the  tribes  with  whom  he  was 
at  |)eac.e— either  the  0.sag(\s,  the  Otocs.  the  Oiiiahas,  the  AN'inne- 
bago(«s,  or  the  loways.     'I'lie  honor  was  properlv  appreciated,  and 
ample  provision  made  for  the  entertainment  of  .so  illustrious  a  yuest. 
Food  and  tobacco  were  laid  up  in  store  airaiiist    his  coming,  and 
especially,  if  at   all   attainable,  was   there   a  supjih'  procured  of  the 
ClinslKiifs  Jiir  ifdlir.      'I'lic  ^uc^ts  were   recci\c(l    hospitablv,  and 
with  every  mark  of  ostentatious  cercimaiy  that  could  be  alforded  bv 
tlu.'  circumstances  of  the  parties.    The  time  was  spent  in  a  round  of 
liuntin<>-,  feasting,  athli'tic  sports,  and  a  variety  of  games,     llorse- 
racinuf.  ball   plav.  lixit   rai'cs,  and  tiamiiliny  with  dice,  formed   the 
amiisemenls;    while  daiiiuiiij.  which   mav  be  considered  rather  as  a 
solcmnily  than  a  recreation,  tilled  a  due  portion  of  the  time.    Keokuk 
was  a  great  dancer,  and   had  been  an  overmatch  for  most  of  his  co- 
temporaries  at  all  athletic  sports. 

The  warlike  exploits  of  this  chief  ha\e  been  numerous;  but  lew 
of  them  are  such  as  would  intercut  our  readers      On  one  occasion, 


.")U 


BIOGRAPHY. 


while  cii^rjitioc],  witli  a  body  of  his  warriors,   in  huiilinL,^  on  the 


LM-c 


at  1)1: 


HIS  wliicli  lie 


l)Ct\ 


wc'cn  his  iiuliuii  and  their  iiinrlid  riuMiiies, 

um  thfiii. 


the  fSioiix,  a  war  [larty  ol"  tho  hitter  caiiu?  siiddoiily   14 


Ik.l! 


I    11: 


lilies  were   iiuninti'd 


hill    ihe   Sioiix,  beiiiir  the  super 


periur 


iinr^t'iiieii,  and  lull}'  ariiied  lor  hatlle,  liad  the  ad\aiila<re,  I'ur  the 
phiiii  aH'ordeil  110  coverts  to  which  the  tSauks,  who  excel  them  in 
hglitiiiir  oil  liiot,  could  retreat.  A  less  prompt  leader  than  Keokuk 
woukl  have  sacriliced  iiis  hand,  eiliier  by  an  atlempt  at  lliglit,  or  a 
despenile  ellort  to  resist  an  unecpial  foe.  His  resolution  was  instan- 
taneously adopted.  Kormiiig  his  horses  in  a  compact  cinde,  llu; 
dismoiiiiled  liaiid  were  pi, iced  wilhiii,  protected  from  the  missiles 
of  the  enemy,  ami  placed  in  a  condilioii  to  avail  themselves  of  their 
superiority  as  marksmen.  'I'he  Sioii.x  (diarged  with  h)ud  yells, 
and  were  received  w  ilh  a  well-direeled  lire,  which  eoinpidled  them 
to  fall  hack.  'I'lu!  allempi  was  repealed,  liul  witii  the  .same  result 
wliicli  usually  attends  a  cliarge  of  horse  U[)oii  well-posted  infantry, 
'i'he  linises  ctiiild  nut  lie  forced  upon  the  mil/zles  of  <ruiis  wliich 
poured  forth  fire  and  ..moke,  and,  alter  .several  iiietl'ectuai  ellorls. 


the  assailants  retreated  with  loss 


ol  Iveokuk  was  not  more  jirai.se worthy  than  the  iiulilary  sagacity 


Oil  this  occasion  tlie  jiromptitudt 
th 


IV  which  he  cslimatetl   tlii^ 


•iili;irities  nf  his  own   force  and  that 


of  tiic  enemy,  and  the  accuracy  of  judgment  uilli  which  he  opposed 
the  one  to  the  ntln'r. 

.Vt  another  time,  during- a  temporary  ]ieace  lietweeii  tlie.se  tribes, 
the  Saiiks  liad  ifone  to  tiie  prairies  to  hunt  the  biillalo,  leaving  their 


village 


iiiit    siiLihtly  guan 


led. 


ami 


veoMik 


will 


1    a    sma. 


party 


ipproacliei 


1  a   large 


irue  encamiiment  of  the   Sidiix. 


W 


V   accK 


I. ml 


learned  lliiit  tlie\'  were  |);iiiited  fir  war.  and  were  prepariim  a 
numerous  ])arly,  destined  against  his  village.  His  own  iiraves, 
\\idel\"  scattered,  coiilil  not  lie  hastily  colh'cted  toirelher.  He  adojiteil 
tlie  bold  cxpeijieiit  of  a  daring  and  ireneroiis  mind,  and  threw  liiiii- 


if  l)et\ 


ween   ins  people  and  danger.      \d\anciiiu'  to  the  eiicam|i- 
iiieiit  of  ids  treacherous  foes,  he  left   his  parly  hard   l>v,  and   rode 


KKOKCK. 


851 


aloiK-   into  llic   rruiip.     Tlic  war  pole  stood    in   tlic   midst  of  tlie 
lodL,f('s,  tlic  war  dance  was  ooiii<r  on,  and  ail  the  liorcc  excitements 
\>y  wiiicli  tlie  Indians  lasii  tiicinsclvcs  into  Inrv,  and  stir  iip  tlie 
storm  of  venifcauec  in  each  otiier's  liosonis,  were  in  full   practice. 
]{cven^fe  upon  the  Sunk  was  tins  !)iirdcn  of  their  son^-.     At  such  a 
moment  Keokuli,  mounted  as  usual  on  a  fine  horse,  rode  huldlv  in 
amonir  them,:-  d  demanded  to  see  their  chief    "J  |i;,ve  come,"  said 
he,  "to  let  you  know  that  there  are  traitors  in  \oin-cam|i.    'I'he\-  have 
told  me  that  you  arc  preparin^f  to  attack  mv  village.      [  knew  tliev 
told  me  lies,  for  you  could  not,  after  smokiuL"'  the  |iipe  of  peace.  i)e 
.so  hase  as  to  murder  my  women  and  children  in  mv  aliscnce.    Xduo 
hut  cowards  wouM  In'  LTinlty  of  such  conduct  !"     'I'he  Siouv,  w  ho, 
for  a  juoment,  were  ahashed   hy  the  audacil\-  of  their  enemv,  now 
heoau  to  crowd  about   him.  in  a  mann(>r  that   showed  a  determina- 
tion to  seize  his  |)erson  :  and  they  had  already  laiil  hold  of  his  ]e<rs. 
on  either  side,  when  hi-  added,  in  a  loud   voice,  "I  suppo.scd   they 
told  me  lies;   hut  if  what  I  hav(>  heard    is  true,  then  know  that  the 
Sauks  are  ready  for  you  !"    So  sayini>-.  he  shook  <ilf  those  who  were 
iitlemptiiiir  to  .seize  him,  [iluntrcd  the  spurs  into  his  horse's  llanks, 
and   dashed  away  tliroui,di   the  crowd.      Several  unuis  wiw  fired  at 
him  inetVectually,  and  a  nuniher  of  warriors,   instaiitlv   mountintr, 
followed    hill!    ill    ra|)id    pursuit.      Mut    thev    had    lost    their    prev. 
Keokuk  w;is  now  ill  his  element,     ^'ellinn  the  dreadful  w;ir-whoop, 
iirandi.shinu:  the  tomahaw  k.  and  tauiitinn-  his  foes  as  he  lied   liefon; 
theiii.  lie  continued  on  his  way  Lallantly,  \intil   he  came  in  siirht 
o|  his  own  little  hiind.     'I'lie  Sioux,  fearing;-  some  stratatrcni,  then 
lialt((l.  and  Keokuk  dcliher.itely  joined  his  people,  while  the  Sioux  " 
retired,      lie   took    measures    to  call    in   his    hraves,  and    returned 
hastily  home:   hut   the  Siouv.  (iiidiim   their  desiLin  tliscovcred,  did 
not  alteiii|)t  to  jiiit  it  in  execution. 

The  talents  of  Keokuk,  as  a  military  chief  and  civil  riih-r,  were 
evident    from  the  disi-ipline  which  exi.sted  amonii-  his  people.      We 

have  seen   no  oilier  trilie  .so  well    mana;red.      Ju  l^:i7,  when  depu 
45 


852 


nroGKAi'uv, 


tations  iVotn  a  nuinlxT  ot"  trilics  visilcd  Wasliiiiirton.  a  slrikiii^f 
contrast  \va-  oljservwl ;  lor,  wliilc!  all  tliu  oilier  Iiidiiiiis  stnillcil 
about  ill  Itluc  coals,  and  other  absurd  liuery,  wliicli  tliey  liad  re- 
ceived as  presents,  tlio  f>auks  and  Foxes  ap|)eared  in  tlieir  native 
tlress,  evincinif  a  dij^nity  and  l!,i)ihI  Uis\v  wliidi  atlraeled  yeiu'ral 
notice.  Another  anecdote  is  illustrative  of  tlu!  same  habitual  jjood 
order. 

touched  for  a  {'vw  luinules  at  Rock  Island.  A  nuniiier  of  the  In- 
dians saunlercd  to  tlic  shore  to  <4a/e  at  it,  and  a  passeni^er,  expect- 
ing to  see  a  scraniblc,  hel('  up  a  u  liisky  bottle,  and  be(d\oned  to  the 
savages,  wlio  took  no  notice  of  his  inotioiis.  lie  stc[)|)cd  on  sliore, 
asaiii  showed    the  enticing 


A  few  vears  ago  a  steamboat,  ascending  the  Mississippi, 


bolth 


iiui    made   siiiiis,    but    witlioiit 


•irect. 


upposing 


the  I 


iidians  to   be   bash 


ful. 


:)r  afraid 


the  bottle  on  tiie  ground,  pointed  to  it,  and  returned  to  tlie  boat, 
which  now  shoved  oiV,  while  ids  fellow-[)as,sen'_'"crs  laughed  loiidlv 
at  ids  want  ol  success.  No  sooner  did  the  lioat  leave  the  sliore 
than  the  Indians  ran  iVuni  the  lo|)  of  liie  liaiilv,  where  tiiey  had  b(;cii 
standing,  dow  n  to  the  water's  edge,  and  the  passciiiicr,  beholding, 
as  he  .suppo.sc(l,  the  expected  scramide,  exulted  in  the  success  of 
his  experiment ;  but,  to  bis  astoiiishmeiit,  the  Iii(Hans  [licked  up 
the  bottle  and  threw  it.  with  .symptoms  ol'  great  glee,  after  the 
l)oat,  into  the  water,  at  the  same  time  clapping  tlieir  iiaiids.  laugli- 
WWX-  and  evidentU'  I'Miltiiiii  in  the  disap|Hiiiitmeiit  nf  the  passenger, 
in  the  \car  [^'2U.  tlie  writer  made  an  excursidii  up  tlie  Missis- 
sippi, and  having  passed  beyond  the  seltleineiits,  stopped  uiie  day 
at  a  cabin  0:1  the  siioi'e,   inhabited   b\'  a  respectable  lariiier  trout 


I 


cmisvlvaiiia,  wiio  liad    iieeii  i 


'iitii 


li\   a  fine   tract  ol    land  to  sit 


down   III   the  w  ilderiie 


more  than  liftv  miles  from  aii\-  neiifliiior. 


\\  liile  enjoyiiiL''  the  iicispit;ible  fare  that  was  kindly  spreail  before 
us,  we  iiKpiirecj  if  these  dwellers  in  the  blooiniiiLi'  desert  were  not 
afraid  of  the  Sauks  and    l''oxes,  w  liost^  huntiiiLT-Lironnds  extended 


around   them. 


'i'l 


ie\    sa 


id   t 


lev  had 


felt 


muc 


irm   until  after  a 


circumstance  which  occurred  shortiv  before  our  visit.     'I'liey  one 


k::okik. 


353 


day  saw  caiincs  ascciKliiii;  iIk;  vlwv,  and  sm.-iH  parties  of  Indians 
|)assiii<r  aloiiiT  tlic  sJKirc,  and  in  the  cvcninL;'  tlic  main  hodv  arrived 
and  encamped  in  the  nei^ddjorhood.  At  ni^hl  a  \xarri(ir  of  verv 
prepossesxintr  ajipearanee  came  Id  the  Imuse,  and  hv  sIlhis  asked 
permission  to  sleep  l)y  the;  lire.  'I'his  they  ilari'd  not  refnsts  and 
resdlvinir  to  make  tlie  Iiest  of  what  tliev  considered  an  awkward 
predicament,  tliey  spread  a  'jond  meal  for  dieir  self-invited  irnest ; 
liavintf  despatrlied  whi(di,  he  took  u|)  his  loduinLC  Ujion  the  lloor. 
The  good  peo|)Ie  were  mucii  alarmed  ;  llie  more  so  as  some  Indians 
were  seen  lurkinLf  alxnit  durinu;  the  ni^ht.  In  the  morning  earlv 
their  guest  departed,  hnt  sliortly  after  sent  a  person,  who  spoke 
English,  to  explain  that  the  trihe  had  iieen  to  St  Louis  to  receive 
their  annnities,  and  havimr  been  ini'Ml^cd  in  the  use  of  iU'dent 
spirits,  were  not  inirler  the  control  of  llieir  usual  (Iisci|>line.  Fear- 
ing that,  under  these  circumstances,  some  depredalion  miLjhl  he 
eomnu'lfed  iqion  the  property  of  the  backwoodsman,  a  war  chief 
had  taken  post  in  ids  house,  and  sentinels  had  been  pla<'ed  around 
it;  and  the  farmer  was  assured,  that  if,  hereafter,  anv  injury  should 
he  discovered  to  have  i)eeii  conmutled  diuami  tliat  idght  by  the 
Indians,  the  chief  would  pay  for  it  when  he  next  came  tiiat  wav. 
Whether  Keokuk  was  the  person  wiio  .-lept  in  the  .settler's  cabin, 
we  Jiad  not  the  uu-ans  of  learning,  but  .as  he  was  undoubtedly  at 
ihe  head  of  the  band,  tlie  anecdote  shows  iiim  desirous  to  a\()id 
giving  oil'Mice  to  the  whites,  and  exhiliils  a  careful  attention  to  the 
discipline  of  his  tribe. 

Keokidi  wa.-.  an  able  negotiator,     lie  several  times  made  peai-e 
with  the  Sioux,  inider  the  most   unpronnsiny-  cir^ 
they  have  as  olh  n  broken  the  treatii 


(■umsl.ances,  and 


Oi 


le  ol    iiis  achievements 


in  this  way  displayed  Ids  skill  and  ehxpience  in  a  remarkable  man- 
ner.     Some  of  lii>  warriors.  fdiiiiL;   in  with  an  encampmenl  of  uu- 

ord.  at   I'r.aii'ie  du  ( 'hien, 
.Mcnomeiiies,  ju.slly 


armed  Menonienii  s,  in  siulit  of  I'ori  ( 'raw  I 


wan 


loni 


y   mil 


rdered    thi;   wliolj    jjarty.     T 


iiiciused  at  an  !inpro\okeil  and  cowardly   murder,  declared  war; 


1 


864 


lilOCUAPIl  V 


jiMii  thi'ir  iVicii'ls,  llio  Wimiebagocs,  who  wcri-  previously  Iioslilc  to 
tin.'  .Sauks,  were  also  higlily  indignant  at  this  outrage.  To  pre  vent 
a  san^niinary  war,  Cieiieral  .Street,  the  agent  of  the  United  .States 
at  I'rairie  ilu  Chien,  invited  the  several  parties  to  a  eonneil.  'I'liev 
assenililed  at  l''ort  Crawlord,  hut  the  Menonienies  positivi-ly  retiiseil 
111  hold  any  negotiation  with  the  oH'cnding  partv.  When  Keokuk 
was  informed  of  this  resohitioii,  he  told  the  a'''ent  eonlidentl\-  tha 


It    made   no    dilierenec;    that    he   would    make  a    treatv   with    tiie 
Meuonienies  hefore  they  separated — all  he  aski'd  was  to  hi'  hroiiLiht 


,ice  to  lace  with   them  in  the  eouned 


nouse. 


•[' 


le  st.nera 


I   Iril) 


aecon 


liULd 


V    assem'iled,   ea.'h    sittini"'    apart  ;    hut    when    tin 


(•;'remon\    ot    smoking,  uliirh    jirecedes  all  pultlie,  discussions,  was 
C(iunuenc(<l,  the  .M<iioiiieiiies  refused  to  join  in  it,  sitting  in  mood\- 


suence,  wlu 


le   ll 


le   other 


'I'i 


le  hreai'h   hetucen   th(^ 


tril 
W 


les  exchanged   this  ordinarv  eourtesv. 


iiuieiKi'foes  am 


1  th 


auks  aiK 


I  !■ 


oxes 


was   talluil   mcr,  (Xplauations  were   mutually   mad 


e,    am 


a    jjcace 


iciiii'uli'd.  Kcokul.  then  turned  towards  the  Menomeiiies  and 
addressed  them.  'I'hev  a1  lir>t  a\erle(l  tiieir  fices,  or  listened  with 
looks  of  defi  ince.  The  ccnunenceiueut  ol  a  speech,  w  ithoul  a  pre- 
vious smokiiiii'  and  shaking  ol  han(Js,  was  a  breach  of  etupiette,  and 
ides  the   liead  of  a  trihe  who  had  done  them  an  injury 


lie  w  as  ue.N 


III  it  iiotlii'iL'  hut  lilood  coiilil   atoiK 


lor. 


I  nder  all  these  disadvan- 


t:i!4es  the 


nik  i-liie 


procet 


■ded  with    his   haraninic,  and   such  wa> 


llie  pow 


er  vT  his  elcKpieiicc.  even  upon  minds  thus  |)redis[)osed,  that 


Uis    hearers    i^railualh     re 


[\fi\,    lisleued,    assented — ai 


Id    w  lieu    III 


(  Olll 


luded    I 


)V  saving  iiidiK 


div, 


ml    in   a  concilialorx'  tone 


1 


came 


here  to  sav  that  I  am  sorrv  for  the  ini|)rudeuce  of  mv  xtiuni; 
men  —  1  came  to  maki>  peace.  I  iiov\  oiler  von  the  hand  of  Keokuk 
— who  will  ret'use  it.'"  tjicv  rose;  om;  li\'  one,  and  accepted  the 
|iri.ll'ered  'jrasp. 

Ill  the  \('ar  1^:)!,  a  fiction  of  the  Sauk  trihe.  formerlv  called  the 


IJritish    iiand.  hut    latterh    known 
d 


1^; 


awk  s   iianii 


Decame 


eiitfaiied  in  a  war  with  thi'  whites,  some  account  ol   which  is  "ivun 


KHOKIK 


855 


ill  our  skclch  «{'  Black  Hawk.     Keokuk,  willi  lln-  majority  of  llio 
1   Fox  nation,  rcniaincil  at    peace  uilli  the    I  Hited   States- 


auR  au( 


Init  it  required  all  tlii'   inlluence.  Ilrinness,  and  tact  of  tins  chief,  to 
kee|)  his  ])eo]i!(^  in  a  position  so  little,  consonant  uitli  their  lialiits 


and 


feel 


iiiirs. 


'I'lieir  natural  fondness  for  war,  their  love  of  jilunde: 
their  restless  dispositions,  tlieir  dislike  towards  the  wliites,  jiiid  tli 
injustice  with  wliicli  thev  liad   been  treated. 


all  cons|)U"ed  to  enlist 


their  syni])!ithies  with  their  eoinitrynien  and  relatives  who  were 
eiiirau-ed  in  ho.stilities.  'l"o  preserve  them  from  temptation,  as  well 
as  to  jfive  assurance  of  liis  |)acifio   intentions.   Keokuk,  who  liad 

ssi.vsippi,  which  was  tlio 
(uiested  the  airent 


removed  from  the  eastern  side  of  the   Mi 
theatre  of  war.  to  the  western  side  of  tlial  ri\('r,  ri 


if  tl 


le  American  t:d\-eriimeiit  to  send  Id  his  cami 


u 


hit 


e  man  w  ho 


le  sm- 


could   speak  tlie   Sauk   laniriiaiic.  and  who   miuhl    witiie: 

cerity  witii  which   he  was  endeavorinir   to  restrain  Ids    hand.     A 

person   was   sent.     The    e.vcitement    in  tin;    tril 


)e    continued 


and 


increased — a  moody,  vindictiv(>,  and  sensitive  state  of  feel 


in<j 


\aded    \\\v  whole   m: 


iss. 


wcokiik  stood  on  a  mine  rea( 


Iv  I 


or  exnlo- 


sion.  He  knew  not  at  what  moiuenl  he  miiflit  he  s;icriliced.  TIh^ 
sliolite.st  spark  ilropped  upon  materials  so  indammahlc  would  have 
tired  the  train  ;  and  the  chief  who  had  restrained  the  ])a.ssioiis  of 
his  people  would  have  hei'ii  denounced  as  the  friend  of  the  uhites, 
and  doomed  to  instant  death.  He  remaine(l  calm  and  unawcd, 
ruling;  Ids  turl)ulent  little  state  with  a  mild,  jiareiital.  vet  linn  swav. 


d   1 


UKl     K(XM)II 


i)eac(^  at  tl 


le  dail\-  and    lioiirU'  ris 


k  of 


lit; 


Oi 


le 


day  an  emissary  arriveil  from  the  hostih^  p;i 


diisk 


V  was  intro- 


duced into  the  cami),  ami 


He 


u'okiik  saw  that  the  crisis  was  at  haiK 

,■1 


iriied  the  white  man,  who  was  his  nue.st,  of  the   impeiidin<r 


diin'jer.  and  directed  him  to  seek  salrl\- 


i)V  concealinu'  liimsf 


If      A 


nous  excilemeiit   eiisue( 


1.     Tl 


le  einissar\' 


.scene  of  wild  and  tnmiill 
spoke  of  hlood  that  had  been  shed  ;  of  a  little  i>allant  lumd  of  their 
relatives  who  were  at  that  moment  chased  over  their  own  hiintintr- 
grounds  hy  ;m  overwhelmin'j-  force  of  well  armed  troops;  <if  recent 


•.i'iH 


in()(;u.\i>iiv, 


iiisulls,  imd  111"  I()ii«f-clierislit«(l  injuries  iiillictrd  hy  llic  uliilc  niiiii. 
lie  liiiilcil  ;it  the  rciidy  vcii'^nviiici'  tli:it  mitflit  lie  taken,  ut  an  ex- 
posed frontier,  defenceless  eal)ins,  and  ricli  liooty.  'I'iiese  excitinij; 
topics  were  jiassed  and  cwaifirerated  iVoni  nmutli  to  nioutii — ardent, 
spirits  were  circulated,  and  the  loiiir-sinotliered  rebellion  lieti:an  to 


fester  in  the 


infill 


uneil  bosoms  o 


f  tl 


le  savaii'e 


lioril. 


lie  i)ra\('s  as- 


siMiibled  about  tiie  war  pole  U)  dance  tlie  war  dance,  and  to  smear 
tlieir  faces  with  the  hideons  syndiols  of  reven^fe.  Keoknk  watched 
the  risinir  of  tiie  storm,  and  appeared  to  niin<^le  in  its  ra^ini^.  lie 
drank,  listened  to  all  that  was  said,  :\\\i\  apparently  assenteil  to  the 
inllammatory  appeaU 
At  Icntilh  the  warriors  cried  aloud  to  be  led  to  battle,  and  the  I'liief 
was  called  upon  for  his  opinion — he  was  asked  to  lead  tliein.  lie 
stood    forward,   and    adilressed    them    willi    that    elo(pience    wiiich 


ide  to  tiie  passions  of  his  deluded  people 


lever  failed   h 


sense  of  wront; 


nn  Ml 
th 


the  h 


our  o'   neei 


II 


e  sympathized   in  their 


'ir  hatred  of  the  while   race,  and  their  lust   for 


xcniieance 


lie   won    their   conlideiice    bv   descril 


iiiiii- 


mil    mvini.'' 


utterance  to  the  passions  which  they  I'elt,  and  echoing  back  their 
own  thoui^lits  with  the  skill  of  a  master  spirit,  llaviii;.;-  thus 
secured  their  attention,  li(>  considered  briclly  tlu^  proposition  to  go 

and  power  of  the  Anieri- 


bers 


to  war — alluded  rajiidly  to  the  nuni 
can  people,  and  the  utter  hopelessness  ol' a  contest  so  uneipial.  IJut 
lio  told  tliem  he  was  their  chief  whoso  duty  it  was  to  be  at  tlieir 
head  in   peace  or  war — to  rule  tlieiii  as  a  father  if  they  chose  to 

lein   if  tliev  determined  to  l^o  to   battle. 


remain  at  home,  to  lea 


1   tl 


He  concluded  bv  tellinir  them,  that  in  tlie  pro|)o.sed  war  there 
could  lie  no  niiddle  course;  the  power  of  the  Inited  States  was 
sucli.   that,    unless   tliev   conipn'red    that    great    nation,   tliey    niu.st 


per 


isl 


at,   therefore,    he  would    lead   them   instanth-   against  tli 


wliites  on  one  condition — which  was,  that  they  would   first   put  all 


tl 


leir  women  am 


1  children   to  deatl 


anil 


tl 


leii   resolve,  that. 


a  Vint!; 


crossed  the  Mississippi,  tliev  would  never  return,  but  perish  among 


tl 


le  uraves  o 


f  tl 


leir 


fathers,   rather  than    vield    them   to  the   white 


KEOKUK. 


857 


men  'I'liis  pmpDsal,  Imwcvcr  (Icspcratc  it  nuiy  scciii,  presented 
tlie  true  issue.  It  poured  tli(.'  oil  of  relleetioii  upon  tlio  wiives  of 
passion.  It  iield  up  tlie  trutii  tliat  a  deelaration  of  war  a<rainst  the 
United  States  must  he  either  a  mem  bravado,  or  a  measure  of  self- 
destruction.  'J"he  tumult  of  passion  and  into.xieation  sui)si(le(l, 
subordination  was  restored,  and  the  authority  of  Keokuk  became 
firmly  r(!-established. 

The  Hlack  Hawk  faction,  always  oppo.sed   to   Keokuk,  had   re- 
garded  him  with  increased  aversion  since  the  disastrous  termina- 
tion of  the  war  into  which  tiicy  mailly  rushed  against  his  judgment, 
imd   in  contravention  of  iiis  authority;  and   so   active  have  been 
liieir  intrigues,  that  at  one  time  they  had  nearly  elfected  his  dowu- 
lall.     Having  for  many  years  exercised  the  sole  power  of  chief,  'i 
fat(!  like  that  of  Aristiiles  had  like  to  have  befallen  him.     Some  of 
his  people  became  tired  of  the  monotony  of  an  uninterrupted  rule, 
and  longed  for  a  change.    His  enemies  complained  of  his  strictness. 
They  objected  that  the  power  of  the  other  chiefs  was  swallowed  up 
in  his  single  voice,  and  they  insinuated  that  he  was  exercising  a 
usm-ped  sway  in  defiance  of  the  usages  of  tlie  nation.     The  matter 
wa.s  at  last  brought  to  a  formal  discu.ssion  ;  the  voice  of  the  nation 
was  taken,  and  a  young  chief  wa.-,  rai.scd  to  the  pka-e  of  head  man. 
In  this  trying  crisis,  Keokuk  discovered  his  usual  «rood  sense  and 
ad(h-ess.     He    made   no    |iuiilic    opposition   to  the  measures  taken 
against  him,  i)ut  awaited  the  result  with  dignified  calnme.ss.    When 
the  choice  of  bis  succes.sor  was  decided,  he  was  tiu!  lirst  to  salute 
tlie  young  chief  by  the  title  of  Faf/irr;  and  it  was  an  aflectincr  siyht 
to  behold  tiiis  distinguished  man.  then  nearlv  sixtv  vears  of  a<"e. 
extending   ids    hand,  with   every  appearance  of  cheerfulness  and 
respect,  to  a  youth  who  was  to  snper.sede  him  in  authoritv.     He 
did  more.      He   led    tiie   iiew'y  elected   chief    to   the    agent   of  the 
United  States,  who  was  then  at  Hock  Island,  introduced  him,  with 
every  demonstration  of  profound   respect,  as  "his  chief  anil   his 
father,"  begged  that  he  might  lie  recognized  as  such,  and  solicited, 


358 


HKXiUAlMI  Y, 


ns  a 


pe 


rsoi 


ill  fi 


ivor,  tliat  tlic  siiiiif  rcir.inl  iitul  attention  wliii 


li  iiad 


lici'ii  i)ai(l  to  liiiiisclf  should  lie  traiisi'cri'cd  to  Ids  successor.     'I'lie 


('(|uel    uiay   oe    readily   supi 


nosed 


riie    peoplo    saw   llirir    trior. 
Keokuk,  as  a   privati^    individual,  was   still  tliu  first,   man    in   the 


nation. 


lis  readv  aiciinesrciiee  in  the  t 


leert 


,hicl 


1  red  need 


inn 


•oin  the  iiiyhest  station  totiie  le\il  of  tile  people,  won  tlieir  .syin- 
atliy  ;  and  he  ro.su  silently   hut  rapidly  to  tlie  place  from  which 


h 


lad   been   removed,  while  the  pi 


rson  who  had  been  cho.seii  t( 


u|)ersede  him.  sunk  (piietly  to  his  former  insinnilicance. 
The   writer  had    the    Lrratiticalion   of  seeint"   this  distiniiuished 


man  a 


t  \\  ashinuton,   in   the  aiituiiin  of  I*'"''     when   the  deleifates 


from  se\('ral  tribes  iissemliled  in  that  city,  .ii  the  invitation  of  tlie 
Secri'tary  ol'  War.  Some  of  tlie  councils  held  on  that  occasion 
were  exceediiiLiiy  intrrestiii'.f.  Due  of  them  especially  attracted 
our   notice.     'The   Secretary  of   War,   Mr.    Poiiiso  t,  |)roposin<f  to 


•Ifect 


11  reconciliation 


i)Ct 


ween  the  Sioux  and  tlii^  Sauks  and  Foxe: 


caused  tliem  to  be  brought  toirether  in  council,  '{"he  meetini.;  tool; 
place  in  a  cliurch,  at  oiu^  end  of  whicii  a  large  stage  was  erected, 
w  Idle  the  spe<Mators  were  permitti'd  to  occupy  the  pews  in  the  re- 
mainder of  the  house.  'I'lie  Secretary,  representing  the  I'residcnt 
of  the  United  States,  was  seated  on  tiie  centre  of  tlie  stage,  facing 
the  audieiic(>,  the  Sioux  on  Ids  right  hand,  and  the  Sauks  and 
l'"o\es  on   his  left,  the  w  hok;  t"oriniiig  a  semicircle,      'i'hese   hostile 


tribe 


s   presented    in  their  appearaiit'c  a   remarkable   contras 


t— li 


ic 


Sioux  appearing  tricke( 


1  out 


ill  blue  coats,  ejiaulettes,  tur  iiats,  am 


various  other  articles  of  finery  which   had  been  presented  to  tliei 


n. 


lllll     w 


liicl 


1   were    now  incongruouslv    worn    in    conjunclinn    with 


portions  of  tiicir  own  proper  costume- 


-wiiik'  tli(?  Sauks 


UK 


1  1' 


oxes, 


with  a  commendable  pride  and  good  taste,  wore  their  national  dress 
without  any  admixture,  and  were  studiously  painted  according  to 
their  own  notions  of  propriety,  lint  the  most  striking  oliject  was 
Keokuk,  who  sat  at  tiic  head  of  his  delegation,  on  tiieir  extreme 


eit,  lacing  ins  mortal  enemies,  the  Sioux,  who  occupic( 


I  the 


oppo- 


KKOM   K', 


868 


sue  Hulo  of  ihc  stjigf,  Imviiiir  tin;  siicct.iliMs  iijion  liis  li  11  >\i\v,  his 
<i\vii  jx'opic  on  his  rijrht,  iiiid   hcyoiid  Ih.in  the  S(iivl;ii\  of  War. 


Ic  ,s;it  as  ho  is  rt'D 


I)i'('S('iit(Ml    111   the   |iic1iii 


r  which  accoiiipaiiics  tiiis 


ic  s\  inliiil  n|   his 


ski'tcli,  grasping  in  his  right  hanil  a  war  haimcr,  tl 

station  as  rnling  chii-f.     His  iicrson  was  erect,  and  his  c\i'  lived 

cahiily  hilt  steadily  upon  the  enemies  of  his  peo[)ii'.     On  the  Ihior, 

and  leaning  upon  the  knee  of  the  cliicf,  sat  i 

or  ten   years  ohi,  whose  fragile  figii 


lis  son,  a  child  ol  nine 


ire  and   innocent  countenance 


ill 


illordei 


I  a  I. 


aiilifiil  coiitiast  to  the  athletic,  ami  warlike  f 


oriii.  and 


the  intellectual   ihoiioh  weatherbealen   Icalures  of    K 


eokiilv. 


enect  was  in  tl 


lii-l 


Tl 
from 


V.  counc 
month 


gnesi  (icLiree  picliirescpic  and  imposing. 
1  was  opened  liy  smoking  the  pipe,  which  was  p 


'I'll 


hnth 


to  mouth.  Mr.  Poinsitt  then  hrielh  addr(  .ssed 
parties  in  a  conciliatory  strain,  urging  theni,  in  the  name  of  tin  ir 
Great  Father,  the  President,  to  ahandon  lliosi;  sangninarv  wars,  nv 
means  of  which  tiieir  race  was  becoming  e.vtcrminated.  and  to  cul- 
tivate the  arts,  the  thrift,  and  the  industry  of  while  men.  Tlu- 
Sioii.K  spoke  ne.xt.  The  orator, 
ith  t 


on 


rising,  lirsl  ste|)|)ed  forward 
md  shook  hands  with  the  Secretary,  and  then  delivered  his  ha- 
rangue, in  his  own  tongue,  stopping  at  tlie  end  of  each  senlence 
until  it  was  nMiilered  into  Kngli.sh  hy  the  interjiret,  r,  who  sto(  d 
by  his  side,  and  into  the  Sauk  lanmiage  by  the  interjireter  of  that 
trib(>.  Another  and  another  followed,  all 
and  with  much  acriiuiniy.  The  burden  of 
that  it  was  useless  to  address  pacitic  langna<i('  to  the  Sanks  and 


speaking    \  eiieiin  utlv. 
their  harangues  was — 


1- 


o.xes,  w 


ho 


were 


ailliless, 


placed.     "  My  Father, 
peopl 


sail 


e  liear  anv  irood  words 


"  We  have  often  mai: 


e  |iea( 


old    man,   who  endeavoriMl 
observer  any  treaty.     I  woiil 
that  child,"  pointing  to  Ke( 
Musquakec."     The  Sioux 
46 


d  on 

111     "  iiim 

e  of  them. 

1 

HI  cDiiiKieiK 
you  cannot 

•e  coi 
maki 

11(1    lie 

tllOSl' 

.  nil 

ess  \dii  b( 

r( 

their  ears  with  sticks."' 

e  wi 

th  them," 

s; 

id  another 

s|)eak 

er,  an 

to 

)e    witty. 

•' 

Hit  they   would 

ne\('r 

d  as 

soon  tliinl 

I  ( 

f  makinii;  n 

treat\ 

•  with 

)kuk 

's  little  boy. 

"as  w  ith  a 

S:iul 

I  or  a 

were 

evident  Iv 

g 

ratified  and 

e.\cit 

ed  by 

.300 


lilO(i|{  AI'll  V, 


the  Niircnsiiis  of  their  orators,  wliilc  tlicir  ii|i|i"iii'iits  sat  ruotioiilrss. 
tlicir  (lark  eyes  lliisliiii>r,  hut  their  fcaturi's  as  coiuiioscil  and  stdhd 
as  if  they  did  not  understand  tiie  disparaifiuir  laiiy;iiaife  tliat  was 


iisei 


We  reiiiarlied  a  deeided  want  (if  (fracefuhiess  in  all  tluisc  s[)eak- 
ors.  Kai'ii  of  tliein,  liavinu;  shaken  hands  witli  the  Sccrcturv  of 
War,  who  sat  facin<f  the  audience,  st()(Kl  immediately  hefore  and 
near  him,  with  liio  interjireter  at  his  oIIhiw,  lioth  havini^  their  hacks 
to  the  spectators,  and  in  this  awkward  [losition,  speakin^jj  low  and 
rapidly;  hut  little  of  what  they  said  coidd  lie  nn(ierst(HMl,  except  iiy 


the  persons  near  them 


Not 


kcolink. 


W 


len   il   came   to  his 


liM'n  to  sneak,  he  rose  deliiieratelv,  advanced  to  tlie  Sei-retarv .  and 


lavinu:  saluted  liim,  nturne(l  to  ids  place,  wliic 


'ini:  at  the  front 


of  the  sta<j:e,  and  on  one  sid(!  of  it,  his  face  was  not  concealed  from 
any  of  the  several  ])arties  present.  His  interpreter  stood  heside 
him.     'I'Ik!  wiiole  arranLii'ment    was  judirioiis,  and,   tiion<4li  appa- 


rentl 


V  iMistudi 


showe(|  the  tact  ol  an  orator. 


le  stood   erect,  in 


uu  ea.sy  hut  martial  posture,  with  his  rohe  tia'own  over  his  left 
shoulder  and  arm,  l(>avinu;  tlu;  rii,dit  arm  liare,  to  he  used  in  action. 
I  lis  voice  was  line,  his  enunciation  rcm.arkalily  clear,  distinct,  and 
rapid.  'I'hose  who  have  had  the  ifratification  of  iieariiiLf  a  distin- 
•  riiislied  senator  tVom  South  Carolina,  now  in  Compress,  whost^ 
rapidity  of  utterance,  concentration  of  thoufxht,  and  coiici.seui'ss  of 
lantiuaife  are  alike;  peculiar  to  himself,  may  form  some  idea  ol"  tin- 
style  of  Keokuk,  the  latter  riddinir,  however,  an  attention  to  tiie 
Uracos  of  attitude  and  action,  to  \\  Inch  the  tormer  makes  no  pre- 


tension. 


Ic   spoke  w I 


til   diiiiiits',  l)ul    with    threat   animation,  and 


some   of   his    retorts    were   e.vcellent. 


'I"l 


lev 


tell 


vou, 


lid    h 


"that  our  oars  nuist  ho  horod  with   sticks;   hnt,   my   father,  you 
(^ould  not  penetrate  iheir  thick  skulls  in  that  way — il  would  re(piire 


hot 


iroi 


'["liev  sav  tiiev  would   as  soon  think  of  makiiiij  peace. 


lilli  this  (diild  as  with  us — hut  they  know  hetter;   for  when  they 


made  war   with   iis  thev   found   us   men. 


'I'hev    11 


vou   Uiat 


KKOKIK 


861 


pearo  lins  often  Imm'h  inailr,  Km  iIimi  u,.  hjivc  \mikvu  ii.  ||n\\  Ii;,|). 
piMis  it  tlicii  tliat  so  iniiiiy  o|'  thnr  liniv.vs  luivr  Imvii  sliiiii  in  oni 
conntry?  I  will  tell  you.  'I'licv  invudcd  ns — we  iu'vit  inviidcd 
llirrn— none  of  my  itravcs  liavc  hccn  killed  in  tlieir  eoiinlry.  We 
liiive  tlieir  s(-iil|)s,  and  ean  tell  where  we  took  tlieni."  We  isliiill 
speak  fnrllier  of  this  eonneil  in  some  of  the  other  sketches  of  tlio 
Sanks  and  Foxes.  It  produced  no  clirct,  unless  that  of  wideninif 
lh(!  breacii  helween  these  tribes. 

Tiie  fol!owin<r  letter,  whieii  was  pnhlislied  in  the  Illinois  news- 
papers about  the  time  of  its  date,  is  said  to  have  been  sent  bv  Keokuk 
to  the  Governor  of  that  state.  It  was,  of  course,  written  by  some 
white  man,  at  his  dictation.  The  villajre  eriers  mentioni'd  were 
the  editors  of  new.spapers,  ami  the  reports  alluded  to  were  circu- 
lated sliortly  after  the  clo.se  of  the  Hlaek  Hawk  war. 

"  Hiicnmn  J'or/,  of  I  ha  Moinia  1/irn;  Auvem/m-  :j(l,  iHICi. 

"To  the  Great  Chief  of  Illinois: 

"My  Father— I  have  been  told  by  a  trader  that  .several  of  vom- 
villa<>e  criers  have;  been  eircnlatiiiir  had  news,  informinif  the  whites 
that  the  Indians  were  pn^parinjr  for  war,  and  thai  we  are  dissati.s- 
fied.  My  fatlier,  you  were  ])resent  wlien  the  t<.mahawk  was  buried, 
and  assisted  me  to  place  it  sodefp  that  it  will  never  attain  be  raised 
again.st  the  white  children  of  Illinois. 

"My  Father— Very  few  of  that  mis<ruidcd  Itand  that  entered 
I?ock  River  la.st  summer,  remain,  ^'ou  have  liumbled  them  by 
war,  and  have  made  them  friendly  by  your  irenerous  conduct  to 
them,  after  they  were  defeated.  Myself,  and  tlie  [rreater  part  of 
the  Sanks  arid  Fo.\es,  have  firmly  held  you  by  the  liand.  We 
followed  your  advice,  and  diil  as  you  told  us.  My  father,  I  take 
pity  on  those  of  my  nation  that  you  forgave,  and  never  mention  the 
disasters  of  la.sl  summer.     I  wisli  them  to  be  forgotten. 

"I  do  not  i)ermit  the  criers  of  our  village  to  proclaim  any  bad 
news  against  the  whites,  not  even  the  truth.     I^ast  fall  an  old  man, 


302 


luocuAi'nv. 


Fox    [inliiiii.  was  Iniiitiiuj  on   an    island,  a  slmrt  ilistancr   ltcl( 


Hock    Island,   lor  turkcNs  1o  i'aiT\'   to    I'ort    Ainisliun".      II 


(•   ua. 


KilliMl  h 


y  a  white  man.  W'v  [lasscd  i;  over — we  lia\,'  imlv  spoken 
nl"  11  i>i  w  liisjiers.  Our  at'cnt  lias  not  lieard  of  it.  We  Aish 
to  live  in  |ii:ice  wjlli  the  whites.  If  a  white  man  comes  to  our 
i-amp  or  villaijc.  we  Ljive  him  a  share  of  \\  li  it  uc  hav.'  to  eat,  a 
loilLriiiLf  if  he  wants  it,  and  nut  him  on  the  trail  if  he  I,;:-  los',  it. 

"My  Father — Advise  the  c.-ier.s  of  your  villatrcs  to  tell  the  truth 
res|iectinir  ns,  and  assist  in  streiiiftheMintr  tiic  ciiaia  of  frieiidship. 
that  y.  nr  children   may  treat  us  I'riendlv  when  thev  meet,  ns;  and 


he  asviired  that  we  are   their   friends,  and   that 


lat  we  h.ive    leelii 


i''s  as 


I'ell  as  the\'  liavi 


.Mv  l''ather — This  is  all  I  have  to  sav  at  presenf. 


•  KFok'TK', 

'•('hii/'  ,f  l/ii    Siiilli    *'"/ii)/(." 

Keokuk  was  a  larife  and  finely  formed  man.  I  lis  maimers  were 
dit'iiified  and  ifraceful,  and  his  (.'lociitioii.  as  well  in  convta-sation  as 
III  )iiililic  speakiiiii',  hi'jhiv  enei-Lietii-  and  aiiimatdl.  Ills  llow  ot' 
laiiL;iiai.'-i  ,iid  rapidilv  of  nitrrance  were  remarkalile;  \ci  his  eiiUii- 
ciatioii  w  is  so  clear  and  (hvimcl.  that  it  is  said  not  a  s\l!al)le  was 
lo.st.      Ills   voice  was  jiowrrliil   and  a'jreealile,  ami    his   coiiiitcnance 


iri  •lOssesMli''-.       Il    IS    not    ot'leii    liiat 


so   hae  a  lookiief   man   as   this 


I  irest  chieltaiii    has   hi'in   ^.^  i  n,  or   one  whose.  de|iortnieiit    ha 
so  iiniformU  correct. 


s  lierli 


.\s    liiuch    I'l'  t 


II-    llls|or\' 


ikuk 


IS   inlurwoveii  with    that    of 


lilack    llaw.'i,  wc   lia\e  eidea\ored  I  ,  aMiid    re|ietil  ion,  iiv  omitii 
iiiaii\    |iarticiilars  which  are  ri'laled  in  oiir  sketcdi  of  the  1. liter. 


A.MlsaUAM. 


Ai.TiKiicii  we  siiiill  soarcely  infer  the  fact  iVom  liis  name, 
Aiiiis(|ii;(iii,  or  llii'  W'ooiliu  Ladli.  is  a  vcrv  lutcd  icadcr  of  tlio 
WinnobaLTofs,  a  licrcc  and  n  sllcss  tiilic  ol'  tin-  lji|icr  .Mis,si.ssi|i|)i. 
His  inollii-r  was  a  udiiiMii  of  llial  nation,  and  liis  father  a  Frcncli- 
maii  named  J)es('arrie,  liy  wliidi  name  also  llic  suljjccl  of  llns 
notice  is  known.  He  is  a  fine  lookini;  inan,  of  larj^e  stature,  and 
eoinmaiidin^-  nnen.  wliose  inlluence  over  tlie  entire  mass  of  the 
warriors  of  this  numerons  trdie  is  very  ^reiit.  He  lias  led  many 
war  jiarties  against  llie  ('lii|p|pewas,  and  lias  always  lieen  snecess- 
liil.  reliiniimj  laden  willi  s|ioil  and  scalps. 

The  leader  of  sueh  parties  seldom  entiatres  in  a  liirhr  as  a  com- 
mon liia\c.  nor  does  he  nsiially  even  carry  a  ^iin.  Tin*  systematic 
and  eaiitious  tailics  iA'  Indian  warfare,  and  the  ine\i1al)le  disyrace 
which  results  from  defeat,  imposes  upon  liim  a  responsilile  (illice; 
and  like  ihe  lieiieral  in  the  ;irinv  of  a  cmli/cd  people,  he  is  ex- 
peeled  rather  to  direct  the  ell'orls  of  others,  ihaii  to  fejht  with  his 
own  hand.  'I'lie  plan  of  the  enterprise  is  ol'ten  the  suhjecl  of  a 
eouneil,  in  which  all  who  are  of  siillicient  .iLic  may  speak,  and  the 
deeision  is  nsually  unanimotis;  for  we  know  of  no  inst.ance  ainonu 
the  Inilians  in  which  (piestions  are  deciiied  !i\-  iii:jj'inties.  \\  hen 
tlie  leadinu:  features  of  the  scheme  are  aurced  ;ipon,  the  exeention 
is  left  to  tlie  war  chief,  who  may  nly  on  the  seereev,  as  well  as  the 
implicit  obedience,  of  his  well  trained  followers.  On  the  eve  of  a 
iiattle,  ]i('  "jives  his  orilers  to  his  captains,  or  if  the  parlv  be  small, 
to  the  whole  i)and  ;  and  during  tlu   light  he  is  engaged  in  overlook 

(IWl) 


Mi 


IHOCRAI'IIY. 


iri<r  and  direetiiiLf  the  wliolc'  (ipcniiKiii.  Ocriisioiis  in:i\  occur,  as 
in  all  iiiililary  eiit('r|>rifSfs,  wliciv  it  iriay  he  imipcr  lur  llic  leader  to 
place  liiiiiiscif  at,  tlie  head  of  his  iiieii,  and  i>o  Ibreiiiosi  into  hatdc; 
and  in  all  cases  when  the  tiiriil  thii'keus  so  thai  the  iiraves  meet 
hand  to  hand,  the  leader  is  thrown  into  personal  contact  with  the 
enemy;   hut  the  ireiieral  practice  is  as  we  have  stated. 

The  Wooden  Ladle  was  a  !,n'neral,  or  war  cliiei;  who  led  lari>e 
parties  of  his  people,  and  trained  reputation  hy  the  sauacitv  wUh 
whiidi  \w  directed  these  military  enterprises.  He  usnally  assem- 
l)le(l  his  braves  at  i'ra  du  Chien;  and  hefore  goin^r  out  always 
adorned  himself  witli  a  .Mrini^-  of  iieads  which  he  wore  round  his 
neck.  This  was  to  bt-  the  prize  of  the  fu'st  warrior  who  should 
kill  an  eneinv,  and  hrinir  his  head  to  the  leader,  and  the  trophy 
was  always  iriven  on  the  soot. 


KATAWAJU'DA. 


A    CllIl'i'KW  A  V    CIIIKF. 


Tl 


HEliK  is,  ill  ^rciii'ial,  M>  grciit  a  siiiiifiifss  in  ll 


Iii.l 


liiii   cliiiiac- 


tiT,  tliut  till'  luilividiKils  may  lie  said  tu  (liti'rr  ratlicr  iii  tlu'  dcgri'i' 
of  plijsK'al  and  iiiciital  strni'^tli  witli  u  liicli  liicy  an;  L'luiowfd, 
tiiaii  in  Uie  i|iialilRs  of  llitir  nimds.  Tlir  |iiirsnits  of  jill  Iniiig  tlic 
same,  tlicTf  must   naturally  l»c  a  sinulituilc  ol'  uitellcclual   de\t'li)[i- 


mrut,    and    uc 


liiid 


HilumK    hut    Imlf    \ainl\     mI'   ('liaiat'l 


«'i', 


(•\c('|)t  that  arising  linm  i'\tra(ir<linaiy  ihslauccs  ol  Ijodiiy  vigor,  <ii' 
^tlj|  iiKirc  rari'ly,  lh)m  siiimtku-  native  laliiit.  'I'licii-  nunifrs  and 
warriors  aic  great,  greater,  and  ureatesl,  Imt  sli'l  lliev  are  but 
warriors  and  hunters,  i>raeti>ing,  with  iimre  or  less  success,  the 
.same  arts  ot"  sylvan  warliire  against  the  lprut(  inlialiitants  oi'  the 
lake  and  loresl,  (ir  snatching  hy  siuiilai'  di  \ices  the  IiIikhU-  tro[ihies 
ol'  \ietory,  in  perpetual  lends  with  each  oilier. 

It   is  therelore  an  ayr';- ihle   relief  {<<  turn   lidin  the  nionotoiious 


recital  of  the  w  iles  of  hattli 
of  a   j)acilic   character.      T 


id   aiiiliuscade,  to  the  contemplation 
hiel,   \v  ho.se    portrait    is    hefore    us, 


tloserves  hoiioraole  na  iitiun  as  dne  n|'  the  \er\'  lew  i4  his  race  who 
eonilemned,  hy  precept  and  e\aih[ile,  liie  \iiidictl\e  and  lihioiU 
wars,  so  coiiimon.  and   so   I'atalh   destiucti\e,  ainoiiL;   the    lU-st.irred 


aliorigiiiei 


Altl 


loiii^h  u  I    do  nut    learn   that    his  cnuiaLie  \\ase\er 


cpiestioned.  In-  never  tnnU  an  ai'tive  [lart  in  war.  iuit  discouraged  it 
on  all  occasi'iiis.  as  far  as  his  situation  and  inlliieiice  allowed.     At 


arx! 


BIOCM  AI'HV 


It'   coiincils,  HI   winch,  ;is  an    ahlc  si 


ii'iikiT,  lie   was  a  |ii(irriiii('iil 


|ici-s(pii,  Ik"  nsnallv  liaraniincil   ni 


aMM' III    iiai'ilif  incasni'cs,  iTiom 


HKiidcd    iicydlialidii   tnid   n'moiistrantc,  ratlicr   tlian 


rt'vonifu  aiu 


\  ID 


li'iicc,   111(1  s(in<4lit  lo  allay  tin-  cxcitt'ineiit  wliicli  onliiiariiy  pro- 
viils  at  the  nii't'tiuys  of  tliu  autagoiiisl  and  turbulent  denizi-ns  of 


he  w  ilil 


sinli. 


Kataualiciia  was  an  (iratnr  iij"  no  sii,all  rcjiutc.  Iv\|)crt  and  nadv 
in  dclialc,  liis  spt'cclics  wrw  marked  In  slii< wdncss.  inircnnit\ ,  and 
sniillcty  of  aiLiuinrnt,  an<l  hy  u  sinipli!  l)rc\ity  and  titrcc  ol'  cxprcs- 
oini'  (il'tiu'si;  disjilays  oi  native  cIikiiumh.'i'  wrrc  well  wortliv 
111'  pr.'scrvatiiin,  l)nt  we  arc  not  aua/c  that  any  of  tiicin  liavc  been 
rccdnicd  except  in  the  niciiiorv  ot"  tlii>s(^  wl 
that  Iniiely  rcLsnin  of  lakes  and  t 
III  was  a  native  and  a  ruler. 


Id  sat  in  tile  coiinci 


Is  of 


di-ests,  d(    whicli   tl 


lis  ninarkahlc 


Ind' 
II 


c  w 


as  the  |)rii<'ipal  villaov  cliicr— the  civil  liead,  as  distin- 
guished IVdin  the  war  chief,  or  inilitary  leader — of  a  hanil  of  the 
('iii]ipe\\ay  nalidii,  ulio  reside  at  Sandy  Lake,  or  Kdiiietoniidnii- 
inojr,  iinioiiir  tiie  head  sprin;4>  of  the  Mississi|)pi,  and  was  a  seiisilije, 
onident.   pnhtic    man,   who  was  revered    i)\    his  dw  n  iienpli 


aiuj 


looked 


UJI  t 


d  as  a  safe  couiiselktr  hy  the  surroundiny;  villaues 


V^-r-c 


..:- ^^. 


(.f  tl 


WKsiH'iinn. 


Ksiicniii,  thr  Siirct,  is  a  cliicr  nC  |{c,|  I„-iK 


M',  north  ol'  lli(>  sources 


M 


ississippi.      lie   is    tht;   son   of   l,r  Si/r,r,  a  rliicf  w  I 


lo     IS 


riiciitioricd   liv  ( Jciicriil    I'il 


<t',  III  Ills  iiarralivt'  of 


M 


ississij))ii,  ill    ls()(i.     'r|„.  .siiiiiiaritv  of  tl 


Ills    \ovai!r  U|l  liic 


II'    liaiiirs   III    tl 


f.tl 


icr 


and  son  wunid  sccni  to  in-iicalo  liir  (  xistcnctMif  sonic  faniilv  tniit 


.f  .■! 


laractcr,  wiiii'ii  was  ilcsiiriu'd  to  jic  dcscrilicd   liv  tl 


ifir  ITS 


ivc  natiics,  uliiili   have  reached   n 


|tcet- 


s  in 


<ii'nisn  and 


ri'iicli  traiis- 


a1ion> 


allicr  died   on    La 


kf  >uiierior,  V.  lule  nn  liis  return 


ionic  Iroiii  a  visit  to  .Micliiliiiiaidun 


worlliy  of  the  place  lio  holds  in  tlie  estimation  of  I 
coiiMderi  d  a  jnsl  and  irood  man,  Imt   has 


ic.     TIk!  son  is  riprtseii'cd   as 


lis  tnlie 


le  IS 


never  evinced  mnch  ca- 


jiacity,  nor  shown  a  disjiosition  to  lead  war  |)artic»!.  ']'he  familv  id 
noted  for  a  sinu[nlar  freak  of  the  son  of  Weshcnhl),  who  feiirued  or 
fancied  himself  a  woman,  and  assniiied  the  female  d 
ployineiits. 
till 


re.-.s  and  em- 


T 


H!  cause  of  this  traii.-.foi mation,  so  espeeiallv  remark- 


ihlt;  in  a  sava'^e,  wiio  considers  the  w 


oiiian  an  inferior  Im 


iiiii,  and 


in  till!  son  of  u  chief,  who 


11)  can  asjiire  to  the  ollicc  of  his  fat  In  r.  if 


uorthy,  bnt  not  otherwise,  is  not  known,     it  minhi  have 
g 'stcd    In  a  dreain,  or  induced    liv  iiioiioiiMinia,  or   hv  some 


III  en  siiL! 


DodllV 


inarniitv. 


le,  liowiMr, 


join 


ar  |);iitiis,  and  after  .serviiiii   in 


SDveii  exj)editions,  was  at  last  killed  hv  the  eiiemv, 


■W 


CIIONMOMCASK,    ()|{    SIl.MMOM'KrSSi:. 


1\  ill!'  pro'^rrcss  (ifdiir  wdilv  \\v  Imvc  liiiiiKl  no  smiill  didiciilly  in 
si'ttlin}.r  the  (irtlionrapliy  of  |)r(i|Hr  iiimics.  Not  only  ;in'  llif  Iiuliiiii 
l;iM"_ni;iLr<'^  iiiiwrittcu,  Init  tlic  iiit('r|)r('t('rs,  tlinuiL'li  wlicuii  most  of 
our  iiil'oniiatidii  is  iicccssarilv  (•oniiiinnicatcd,  arc  illiterate  iicrsons, 
will)  aihitrarilv  alliv  to  words  the  |)r(iiiuiiciatinii  wliicli  suits  tlit'ir 
nw  II  I'aiK-w  or  wliiili  aci'nrds  hrst  with  tliiir  own  national  or  local 
idiom.  'I'lius  the  Indians,  who  call  theinsehcs  Saidiies,  arc  de- 
n<iininated  Sacs  hv  the  I'rcncji,  and  Sanks  liv  the  Americans;  and 
the  names  of  nianv  of  the  idiicls  arc  <ji\('n  with  such  variations  liv 
dilVerent  travellers  that  it  is  sometimes  diilicnlt  to  rccoMiii/e  them. 
Tho  names  which  are  attached  to  the  portraits  in  this  work  are, 
with  a  lew'  exceptions,  tliose  which  we  found  written  upon  them  in 
liie  !/aller\'  at  the  War  (Hli.-e,  and  which  were  ilictatcd  hy  th(>  per- 
sons who  atteiiiled  tiie  chiefs  as  interpreters,  in  tlieir  visit  to  Wash- 
insjlon.  \N  iiether  thev  liave  hecn  chanL'cd  in  copyinu"  we  <'annot 
sav  ;  hut  some  olthcm  aii'  evidcntiv  incorrect.  \\  c  ha\e,  however, 
ii  most  cases,  left  them  unaiti  red.  |)relerrin'j  to  make  our  corre<'- 
tions  in  the  lijoLMriphical  notices,  rather  tlian  alter  that  nhich  may 
lia\  e  lieen  w  ritten  on  autliorilv  hetler  than  oiu'  o\ui.  W  net  her  the 
indi\i'lual  now  heforc  us  shoulil  l)c  called  ('li<iinii()ni<asi,(ivSliau- 
moiiihiisst.  is  a  ipiestion  which  we  stippose  wdl  ticver  excite  as 
niii«ii  curiosity  ;is  has  In  cii  awakened  hv  tiie  rival  claims  for  llit! 
iiirtft-place  of  I[omer;  we  liaxc,  nevertheless,  lakcu  some  pains 
to  jrf'ive  at  till  proper  rcadiicj,  and  have  adopted  the  latter,  on  the 
(  ■••■'• ) 


ISKMIIi  \1>II  Y 


aiillinriU  uf  ;lir  writers  ot    Lonif's  l'ir>t    Iv\|m  ilitjiiii  In  the  Itoeky 


M. 


niinliims.  III  uliicli  w  r  |il;ii'('  iiii|ilirit  ciiiiliiltiii'c. 
Sliiiiiiiitiiifkiiss('    WHS    (iisliii'_Miisli((l    ciirlv    iii    litr    us   :i    di 


ring, 


iclivi',  and  siii'CL'sst'iil  wiirrior. 


W 


(•  arr  lint  auan-  nl  Ills  liavmix  aiiv 


lii-rcilitarv  I'laiins  to  tlie  rliifCtaiiisliip  oi'  his  triln-,   In  uliidi   lit; 


lias  risen  ifradiially   liy  Ins  own   merits,      lie  is  a   |ier; 
|ieiietrali(in,  and  is  i-apalile  of  aelinu''  with   muih  dn|ili 


■ioll    nl   dee|) 

(•i;y    II  any 


occasion  when  he  iiia\  eniisider  it  jiDJitii'  in  rniiceal  Ins  real  \ie\vs. 
llaviiiij  had  intereourse  with  the  traders,  t'rnin  his  iiifaiicv.  lie  has 
ac(|iiired  an  iiitiiiiatc  knowle'd^c  oj'  the,  eliarai-ter  nf  liic  white'  men, 
and  has  studied  to  turn  this  ac(|iiisiti()ii  to  advaiitaire.  The  Ottocs 
have  alwii\  s  inaintaiiied  triciidU  relatimis  w  ith  the  Amerii'an  peo- 
ple, and  it  was,  tin  rrl'dir.  not  diliieiilt  tor  this  ehiel'  tn  eiiltivute 
lilt'  ifood  opinion  of  such  ol  onr  coiintrN men  as  \  isited  the  distant 


sliores  0 


f  tl 
(>t1( 


le  npiier 


M 


issoiiri. 


and  the   Missoiiries  ;ire  remnants  ol   nnmi'rons  and 
warlike  nations  which  once  roamed  over  these  iMuindlcss  ])luins,  the 


nionarchs  ol   all  they  snrveyei 
duccd,  that  the  w  hole  iiiiinli( 


lut   w  liieh   are   now  so  iirea 


tiy 


re- 


r  of  the  warriors  in  holh  trilns  toifetlier 


is  not  more  than  two  hundred.  Beiii^  united  !)y  tiic  closest  friend- 
ship, tlicv  have  cast  their  lots  in  nnioii,  and  act  toi^'ethcr  as  one 
|)cople ;  and  small  as  is  tlieir  a^irrcL^ated  I'orce,  they  have  sustained 


tl 


icmselves    wi 


th  such   uniform   bravorv   and   L^ood  conduct  as   to 


command  the  respect  of  the  trihes  around  them.  'I'hev  arc  more 
indebted  to  Shunmoneknsse  than  to  any  other  individual  for  the 
high  repntatioii  lliey  have  niainlained,  as  he  is  not  only  one  of 
the  boldest  of  their  warriors,  but  is  very  e\|)cr1  and  politic  in  tlie 
tnanaireiiicnt  of  their  all'airs.      * 

lie  is  more  cniniiinii|\-  known  to  the  wliitcs  by  the  ii;niie  ol'  hhiti, 
or.  as  the  i'^reiicli  traders  deiiominate  him.  L' Ichni,  a  title  which 
was  gi\in  him  iii.consc(pieiice  of  some  exploit  aixainst  the  triljc  of 


that 


name 


nor  o 


f  (list 


:    prnbably  nil   accoiin 
iiK  tinii. 


t  of  liis  htivinu:  slain  an  letan  war- 


870 


SUM   MONKK I SSK 


'I'iic  I'dllMlcliaiiri'  III  this  Imlliill  i  \|iri'SM'>  llir  i|l|;illllr.s  wliU'li  he 
is  KlidWIl  tn  li:i\c  |i(issrssfil  III  :ili  iliillirlit  iliiircr.  Iilit  vvlilill  arc 
mil  I'liiiiiiinii  aiiidiiL;  Ins  race;  lie  was.  \\  In  n  a  \i>uii'j  man,  MX'ial, 
\s  Ml> ,  aiiiiiiali'ii,  ami  iii>  I'ciirial  in  liis  ti'iii{ii  laimiit.  Allliniiuli  lie 
nrvrr  dlilaimil  anv  ri|iii1atHMi  as  an  tiralur,  lie  iniiMTsctl  wril,  and 
was  an  aLini  alilc  i'(iiii|iani(in. 

\\  lull  iiijuml  I,(iiil;'s  |)arl\  svcrc  iiiiaiiiiird  on  llic  ii|i|h'1  Mis- 
sonri.  Ill  I'^l'.i.  llir\  \Mic  \  isilnl  li\  :i  |iait\  nf  ( )tiii(s,  aiming;  w  Ikhii 
was  Irian,  linn  a  \iiiiiil:  Inil  a  ilistiiiLiinslii'i!  w  ai'iinr.  A  ^'I'aml 
(lancr  \\as  |n  rlnriinil  in  linunr  nl  llir  Alin'iican  dirirci-s;  in  tin' 
ciMii'sc  (if  \\hii'li,  liic  icadiis  n|  liir  'ji-i:it(st  ic|iiit('  a"i.in!.'  tlic 
Indians  nairatrd  tlirir  cviilcuts  Aiiinii|.f  nilins,  Irtin  stt|i|)rd  Inr- 
waiiland  struck  tiic  lla'^jstall' w  liicii  li;iil  lice  n  cicd,  and  ainund 
wiiicli  tlic  daiii'ci's  iiKivi'd.  'I'liis  ccrciiniii'  s  called  sliihiiKj  llir 
fitis/ :  and  siicli  is  tlic  respect  paid  to  it,  thai  ^vliatcvcr  is  spukcii  iiy 
the  pciMin  who  strikes,  ina\'  he  relied  upon  as  stncth'  true;  and, 
indeed.  It  ciiiild  iidt  well  he  otherwise,  lor  the  speaker  is  siirrdiiiidrd 
hv  rival   w:irridrs,  w  Im  wdiild    not   tail   tn  dele  c|,  .md   iii--taiitl\    c\- 


I   he  slioiilil  ciKJi  a\  or  to  s\\  ell   Ins 


1   h 


|idse,  aii\'  exau'jcratidii  li\    whi( 

own   comiiarative   inerits       In   recdiintinu:   his  martial  deeds,    Ictai 


said,  he  had  stdlcn  lidiscs  .-even  dr  eitjht  tiim  s  Iroiii  the  Koiisas  ;  In; 
had  (irst  struck  the  lioilies  oj'  three  ol  that  natKJii,  slam  in  hattle. 
lie  had  stdlcn  horscN  Iriun  the  letaii  natidn,  and  had  struck  duc  df 
till  ir  dead.  1  le  had  slcilcn  hoises  Iroin  the  I'awnces.  and  hail  striick 
the  liod\  dl  one  I'awiiee  Lonp.  lie  had  stolen  lior>es  se\  cral  llliies 
Irdin  the  Omahas,  and  niicc  rrum  the  i'nncas  lie  had  struck  the 
hddies  dt'  two  Sidiix  On  a  w;ir  part\,  in  Cdinpaiu'  with  the  Paw- 
nees, he  had  attacked  the  S|iaiii:iriis,  ami  penetrated  iiild  niic  dl 
their  camps  ;  the  Spaniards,  e\ceptm'_'^  a  m.in  and  ,i  lid\ ,  lied,  him- 
seir  licinii'  ;it  a  distance  heriiie  his  partv ,  he  was  shot  at  and  missed, 
li\  the  man  whdin  he  immcdiateh  shot  down  and  struck  "'I'liis," 
8:ii(i  lie,  "is  the  only  niarti;il  .ict  ol  iii\  lile  that  I  am  ashamed  ol." 
This  would  he  considered,  li\  an  Indian  audience,  a  lii"lil\-  men- 


niOCillAIMIV. 


371 


torioiis  ciitaldiruf  iif  iiiartiiil  deeds ;  iKir  umdd  Hie  .stealiiiif  (if  liorses 
l»e  llioil'jlit  tlie  least  lldlinialile  i>|  lliese  dailllL;  e\|il(ilts.  Altliollyll 
lilt!  Wdl'd  steallllli  is  used,  and  the  |i|Meeeillii'j  llseH' is  attended  witll 
llie  soereey  (if  actual  llielt,  yet  the  act  dues  iml  iiiMilve  anv  idea  (if 
mealiness  or  criiiiiiiality,  Iml  is  eonsidered  as  a  lawl'iil  ea|itiire  oj' 
llie  |)i()|ieity  ol  ail  uiiemy.  'l'\u\  deem  il  dislidiiest  to  steal  lioiii 
llu  :•*  friends  or  allies,  Iml  tiieir  I'ude  of  inoralitv  jiistilies  anv  deee|)- 
liDji  or  Hi|iir\  towards  an  eiieiiu',  and  aH'ords  Imt  sli<;lit  iinilrction 
1u  llie  |iei'son  or  |iro|H'r1\  oi'  aii\'  u  lio  are  imt  IhiuiiiI  to  thcin  iiy 
some  stroiij;  l)ond  lA'  niteres!  or  tViendslii|i  Main  of  the  wars  of 
llie  Indians  irrow  oiil  of  these  iindalorv  liahits,  aii<i  the  imiiIiui'  o| 


few  I 


lorses  is  repaid  li\  the  Mo 


d  of 


warriors,  and  the  sacrifice  of 


On    the   same  ocrasion   alluded    tn  aliove,   we  are   t< 


III    this 


let; 


n  rejireseiited  one  will'  was  III  the  act  i>\    stealinir  horses. 


lie  (tarried  a  whip  in  his  hand,  as  did  a  consideralile  nnmlier  ol'  the 
IndiaMs.  and  around  his  neck  wen  thrown  se\eral  lealln  in  tlioii<rs, 
for  liridles  and  halters,  the  ends  of  which  trailed  on  the  urotind  he- 
hind  liiiii ;  after  iiianv  preparatory  inaiKi'iix  res,  he  stooped  down,  and 
Willi  his  Knife  represented  ihe  act  of  ciilliii!.'  llic  /i i >/ 1/ i/i s  I'l    horses; 


II 


leii    rode    his    toiiiaiiaw  k 


hildreii    ride   llieir   !ii'iioni>ticl\s. 


makiiijj;  such  ust;  of  his  whip  as  to  indicate  llie  neees>'|\  of  rapid 
moveineiil,  lest  his  foes  should  overtake  him." 


The  authority  already  (pioled,  after  remarkinu:  lli^  I    die  Imha 


lis 


some 


limes  indiiliic  in    pleas.antry    in   their  conversation,  adds,  that 


■•  >li.iumoii('kiiss(!  seemed  to  he  eiiiineiilly  witly,  ;i  (piiliU  shun 
indicated  h\   his  well  marked  fealiires." 


I  III!  union  helwcen  the  Mis.soiiries  and   Otioes  look  place  ahoiil 
twenty  years  u^n,  when  the  former  were  coiKpiered  and  dispersed 

few    fiiiiilies 


in-    Ihe 


aiiKs   am 


I    !• 


oxes,  am 


I   ti 


leir   allies,   wiien 


joined  the  Osatres;   a  few  took  refjiie  aiiioiej'  liie  Kons.as,  while  lla 


lief  part  of  the  trilie  liecaine  aiii'ilijamaled  with  the  1  Mto 


av- 


inU 


I. 


(11   previously   very   iu-ariv   assimilated    in   hahils,   mannor-s 


872 


Sll  AIMONKKUSSR 


Hiul  iaii<rii;iir(<,  the  iiniiiii  has  lictn  cortlial,  and  (Ik  \   may  now  ih* 


COIISII 


llMT.l 


as  one  iii'diiu 


lU'i.p 


These  trilK's  boast  ol"  haviiijf  faitlirully  adlicrcd  to  thtir  iinifcs- 
Biniis  (it  lVi('ii(!shi|)  towards  tlie  Aiiii'ricaii  |ico|)|f  ;  not  diii'  of  w  lioni, 
thcv  assert,  was  ever  killeil  liy  tlieir  warriors.  Only  two  wliile  nieit 
have  lu-eii  slain  l)y  tlietn  within  tlie  reeolhction  of  any  liviiifr  wit- 
nesses; oni'  ot  tliese  was  a  Frenchman,  and  the  other  a  Spaniard, 


who  was  Killed  i)V 


Sh 


ninioneknsse,  in  the  mainirr  alnadv  alhided 


to;  and  althouirh  this  act  was  atteiide<l  l>y  a  remarkahle  disphiv 
of  liraverv,  which  no  doulit  gained  liim  ^^real  credit,  lie  dechircd 
piil)licly  tliat  it  was  the  only  martial  act  ol'  his  life  that  liu  was 


nsliainei 


lof. 


Tiiis  iiidividiia!  is  distini^nislied  not  oiilv  as  a  warrior,  Itiit  as  a 
fjfreat  Ininter;  and  it  is  evident  that  lie  takes  no  small  dejrree  of 
pride  in  his  exploits  in  tlie  chase,  Irom  the  manner  in  which  his 


head 


was  decora 


ted  with  the  spoils  of  the  field,  when  he  sat  for  his 


[Hirtrait.  'i'lie  horns  of  the  hiill'alo  are  worn  w  ith  a  triumph  w  hich 
remlers  it  prohalile  that  a  lci,feiid  of  more  than  onlinary  <larin<x  is 
connected  with  the  identical  pair  thus  osleiitatioiisly  disj)layed, 
while  the  c'aws  of  the  e;ri/.ly  hear,  the  fiercest  and  most  |)owerfiil 
(|tiadriipe(l  of  our  continent,  are  suspended  round  his  neck. 


W 


len 


tl 


lis  portrait  was  taken 


liaiimoiieKiisse  was  a  vonnif  ami 


gallant  warrior;  he  has  since  hecome  the  head  man  of  his  tribe,  and 
risen  to  n-rcat  intlnence  nmoiiL:'  his  neighbors.  'I'he  iiimiediate 
cause  of  his  rise  from  a  hall"  to  a  full  chieftain,  was  the  result  of  a 
qnarrel  that  liappene(|  between  one  of  his  l)rotliers  and  him.self.  In 
the  flight  produced  by  the  ipi.irrel,  it  was  the  lot  of  Shaiiinonekiisse 
to  have  his  no.se  bit  olV,  whereupon  Ik;  shot  his  iirother.  lie  imiiie- 
(liatolv  repaired  to  the  conni'il,  and  made  known  what  had  hap- 
pened, when  it  was  decreed  that  anv  man  who  would  bite  oil"  his 
brothers  nose  deserves  to  be  shot  ;  and  in  lestimonv  ol'  the  respect 
entertained  bv  the  cliiefs  for  the  promptness  of  Sbauinonekiisse  in 
pniiishin<j  sncli  an  mitraire,  itiey  electeil  liim  chief. 


IIAV.XK    linD.IIIIIM, 


THK    EAGLK    OF    DELIfJHT 


Wic  rejrrnt  that  wv  luivc  l.u)  little  U>  sny  of  llic  ,,ri^'iii;il  „l  tliis 
pretty  i.ielniv.  J.iko  many  li:iii(lsonie  wunieii,  her  face  was  j.niha- 
l»!y  lier  i.niieipal  treasure.  'I'lie  eoimteiianee  (|,.es  iw.t  iiiiiicate 
iniieli  character;  \vilh(.iit  the  iiilelliK,'iic,u  of  tlio  civilized  leiiiale,  it 
has  a  soflMess  rarely  exhihited  In  the  Indian  s(|iia\v.  '["here  is  a 
Chinese  air  u\'  childishness  and  simplicity  ahotit  it,  which  is  rallit'r 
striking:,  and  wiiich  is  as  foreign  U>  tiio  features  of  the  iahorioiis, 
w.athcr-l.eaten  female  of  the  prairies  as  it  would  he  to  the  counte- 
nance of  a  practised  helle  in  one  of  our  cities. 

She  was  the  favorite  wife  of  Shaumonekii.s.sc ;  whelhor  the;  only 
cni',  we  are  unahle  to  say,  lor  the  red  men  are  in  the  habit  of  mul 
lipl  villi,  the  chuiiccs  of  connubial  felicity  by  marrying  as  many  rod 
laiJKs  as  they  can  support.  A  great  hunter  has  usually  several, 
while  tile  .sluggard,  who  has  Maiiicd  no  reputati  .n  by  his  successes 
in  the  i-hase,  is  considered   as  very  amply  provided  with  a  single 


hell 


i-ineet.      We  infer  from   the  character  of  let: 


m,  as  well  as  from 


the  para|(her!ialia  which 


nates  his  |)ersoii,  that  he  was  entitled 


ity  the  .'iKpictte  ,.:  ■!   t|ie  economy  of  Indian  life,  to  a  |)liirality  of 
wives,  and  that  ho  w;(>  a  per.soiiage  who  would  probably  live  up  to 


lii,« 


privijeg(>s. 


\VI 


en  he  visited  tin   city  of  A\'asliington.  in   js-ji    \\. 


i\  lie 


hiiii,    the    Kagle   of    i)eli..ht. 


llu.lji 


was   llie   coni|)aiiioii   o|    his   journey, 


( •■i;.i , 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


u. 


1.0  f^^  iM 

=     Z  112    uiiioo 


I.I 


1^  t 


\u 


6" 


--  IIIIIM 

ill  1.8 


1.25  mil  1.4   i  1.6 


V] 


<^ 


n 


'^ 


>> 


-m  .:>^? 


^\ 


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<^#^'''> 

> 


^' 


V 


/A 


W 


w 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WES1  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872  4503 


t 


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<> 


M 


374 


BIOGRAPHY. 


Young,  and  remarkably  bandsoine,  with  an  interesting  appearance 
of  innocence  and  artlcssness,  she  attracted  the  attention  of  tlie  citi- 
zens of  our  metropolis,  who  loaded  her  with  presents  and  kind- 
nesses. Among  other  things,  she  received  many  trinkets;  and  it  is 
said  that  her  lord  and  master,  who  probably  paid  her  the  flattering 
compliment  of  thinking  her,  when  unadorned,  adorned  the  most, 
very  deliberately  appropriated  them  to  his  own  use,  and  suspended 
them  from  his  own  nose,  ears,  and  neck.  If  she  was  as  good 
natured  as  her  portrait  bespeaks  her,  she  was  no  doubt  uellcr 
pleased  in  administering  to  her  husband's  vanity,  than  she  would 
have  been  in  gratifying  her  own. 

Shortly  after  her  return  home  .she  died,  and  the  bereaved  hus- 
band A\as  .so  sensibly  affected  by  her  decease,  that  he  resolved  to 
end  his  own  life  by  starvation.  With  this  view  he  threw  himself 
on  her  grave,  and  for  several  days  remained  there  in  an  agony  of 
grief,  refusing  food,  and  repelling  consolation.  His  friends,  respect- 
ino-  his  feelin'Ts,  suffered  him  for  a  time  to  indulge  his  sorrow,  but 
at  last  forced  him  away,  and  his  immoderate  grief  became  gradually 
assuaged. 


i-1 


ANACAMEGISIICA. 


Here  is  a  forest  chieftain  with  a  name  sufficiently  long  to  gratify 
liie  most  aristocratic  veneration  for  high  sounding  titles,  but  which, 
we  regret  to  inform  such  of  our  readers  as  may  not  happen  to  be 
versed  in  the  Ojibway  tongue,  dwindles,  when  interpreted,  into  the 
luiiul)le  appellation  of  Foot  Prints.  How  he  acc[uired  it,  we  are 
unable  to  say,  but  that  it  is  an  honorable  designation,  we  are  pre- 
|)ared  to  believe  from  the  character  of  the  wearer,  who  is  a  person 
of  no  small  note.  He  is  descended  from  a  line  of  hyperborean 
chiefs,  who,  '.ike  himself,  have  held  undisputed  sway  over  a  clan  of 
\\w.  Chippeways  inhabiting  the  borders  of  Rainy  Lake.  His  great 
li  rand  father  Nittum,  was  an  Ottawa,  wiio  emigrated  from  Lake 
-Michigan  to  the  Grand  Portage  and  Rainy  lake,  at  the  time  when 
tlie  great  Northwest  Company,  whose  doings  have  been  so  adnn- 
ral)ly  described  by  our  countryman  Irving,  began  to  prosecute  their 
traffic  in  parts  northwestward  from  the  Grand  Portage. 

Nittum  was  an  uncommon  man.  So  great  was  his  sagacity  and 
conduct,  that,  although  not  a  native  of  the  region  or  tribe  into 
which  he  had  boklly  cast  ids  lot,  he  soon  came  to  be  regarded  as 
liie  head  chief  of  the  Kenistoiio  nation.  He  attained  a  reputaliou 
for  bravery,  activity,  and  prudence  in  council,  as  well  as  for  tin' 
d(^cision  of  character  evinced  in  all  the  vicissit\ides  of  a  bii.sy  and 
perilous  career,  which  extended  beyond  the  region  of  Rainy  hko, 
and  elevated  him  above  the  surrounding  warriors  and  politicians. 
So  great  was  the  veneration  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  Indians, 
that  the  agents  of  the  Northwest  Company  took  especial  pains  to 
48  ( «7f) ) 


<J  I  i) 


BIOGRAPHY. 


conciliate  liis  favor  wliile  living,  and  to  honor  liis  remains  afhT 
death.  The  scallbld  upon  which,  according  to  the  cnstoni  of  the 
Chippeways,  his  body  was  de])o.sited,  was  conspicuously  elevated, 
near  the  trading-house  at  the  Grand  Portage,  and  the  savages  saw, 
with  admiration,  a  British  Hag  floating  in  the  lireeze  over  the  re- 
spected relics  of  their  deceased  chief.  When  these  politic  traflickers 
ill  jiellry  removed  their  establishment  from  Kameiiistaquoia  to  Fort 
William,  they  carried  with  them  tlie  bones  of  Nittuni,  which  were 
again  honored  with  distinguishetl  niarUs  of  resjiect ;  and  the  living 
continued  1o  be  cajoled  by  a  pretended  reverence  for  the  meinorv 
of  the  (h'ad.  This  is  the  same  '' Ail/i/}i'  menlioiied  in  tlie  Ilistorv 
of  the  Fur  Trade  jirefixcd  to  McKenzie's  Voyages. 

Nittuni  was  succeeded  in  the  chieftainship  by  his  son  Kagakum- 
niig,  the  Erirlustinfj,  who  was  also  much  respected  in  the  hiub 
latitude  of  Kaiiiy  lake  and  the  Lake  of  the  Woods.  After  his  dealli, 
his  sou  Kabeendushquameh,  a  person  of  feeble  mind  and  little 
n'[)utc,  swayed  the  destinies  of  this  remote  tribe,  until,  in  the  t'ul- 
ne.ss  of  time,  he  also  was  gathered  to  iiis  fathers.  [lo  left  several 
sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  notice  is  within  one  of  the  younu- 
est,  Ijut  is  nevertheless  the  successor  te  the  hereditary  authoritv  of 
chief  He  is  a  good  hunter,  and  well  qualified  to  sustain  the  repii. 
tation  of  his  family.  Of  a  disposition  naturallv  inclining  to  be  stern 
and  ferocious,  but  with  sulHcieut  capacity  to  ajijirecuite  his  own 
situation  and  that  of  his  jieople,  as  well  as  the  conduct  of  those  who 
visit  his  country  for  the  purjiose  of  tralhc,  he  conducts  iiiinself  with 
jirojiriety,  and  is  considered  a  man  of  good  sense  and  prudence. 
Ill-  is  the  first  of  his  family  who  has  acknowledged  fealty  to  the 
American  government.  This  chief  lakes  a  lively  interest  in  the 
condition  and  prospects  of  his  band,  and,  in  tiie  yi'ar  fs-Jfi,  evinced 
a  desire  to  cultivate  amicabh?  relations  with  the  American  people, 
by  perforniing  a  l(,ig  and  jiainful  journey  to  attend  the  council  held 
at  Fond  dii  Lac  by  (Jovernor  Ca.ss  and  Oolonel  .AlcKenney.  lie  is 
si.x   I'eel   three    inches  in  stature,  and  well   made.     Of  his  feats  in 


ANACAMEUISIICA. 


877 


war  or  hunting  no  particular  accounts  have  reached  us.  There  are 
HO  newspapers  at  Rainy  lake,  and  it  is  altogether  possible  for  a 
person  to  attain  an  eminent  station  without  having  his  frailties  or 
liis  good  deeds  heralded  by  the  trump  of  fame. 


aUATAWAPEA,   Oil  COLONEL  LEWIS. 


QuATAWAPEA,  or  "The  man  on  tlie  water  who  sinks  and  rises 
again,"  was  born  at  the  Pickaway  Plains,  in  Ohio,  almost  sixly 
years  ago,  and  was  a  boy  at  the  great  battle  of  tlic  Keiihawu,  m 
which  his  tribe  acted  a  conspicuous  part.  His  father  and  all  his 
ancestors  were  distinguished  for  tlieir  feats  in  arms.  He  was  for 
many  years  the  chief  of  that  band  of  the  Shawanoe  tribe  which 
resided  at  Lewistown,  on  the  sources  of  the  great  Miami  of  the 
Ohio.  Wit\  strangers  he  jjassed  for  a  person  of  much  considera- 
tion, in  consequence  of  his  fine  address  and  appearance.  He  was  a 
well  formed,  handsome  man,  dressed  with  nuich  taste  and  elegance, 
and  was  graceful  in  his  deportment.  His  horse  and  equipments, 
rille,  and  side  arms,  were  all  of  the  most  costly  kind,  and  few  of  his 
race  ever  appeared  so  well  on  public  occasions.  As  a  hunter  he 
had  no  superior;  but  he  was  not  distinguished  iii  council  or  in  war. 

During  tl.ie  late  war  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,  this  chief  joined  the  American  army  with  a  small  band  of 
his  braves,  and  rendered  himself  extremely  useful,  on  account  of 
his  intimate  knowledge  of  the  whole  country  which  formed  the  seat 
of  war  on  our  north-western  frontier.  Only  one  martial  exploit, 
however,  is  recorded  to  his  honor.  At  a  place  called  Savoirin's 
Mills,  he  attacked  a  small  fortification,  at  the  head  of  his  warrit)rs, 
with  .such  fury,  that  the  British  garrison  was  compelled  to  evacuate 
it  liastily,  and  seek  safety  in  lliglit.  They  were  overtaken  and 
many  of  them  captured  ;  the  pursuit  was  continued  for  some  hours; 
Vet  it  is  a  fact,  highl}-  honorable  to  this  chief,  and  the  Shawanoe 


IHOGRAPIIY. 


371) 


warriors  under  his  command,  llmt  not  a  sculp  was  taken,  nor  a 
I)rifioner  put  to  death.  I'ho  British  soldiers  who  were  captured 
were  treated  witii  the  greatest  liumanity. 

Tiie  reader  will  have  observed,  that  it  is  not  uncommon  for  the 
Indian  warriors  and  chiei's  to  have  several  names,  and  that  man\  uf 
tiietn  are  named  after  eminent  persons  among  their  civilized  nei'di 
bors.  Thus  the  individual  before  us  is  better  known  by  those  who 
speak  our  language  only,  as  Colonel  Lewis,  than  by  hjs  original 
Indian  designation. 

He  lived  for  many  years  near  Waupaghconneta,  in  Ohio,  where 
he  cultivated  a  large  farm,  to  which  he  devoted  much  attention. 
Unlike  most  of  his  race,  he  had  learned  the  value  of  j)roperty,  and 
exerted  himself  to  increase  his  po.ssessions.  This  conduct  rendered 
him  unpopular  with  his  tribe,  by  whom  he  had  never  been  greatly 
esteemed  ;  and  he  was  at  length  deposed  by  them,  under  a  cliarge 
of  peculation,  in  having  applied  to  his  own  private  purposes  the 
money  received  from  the  United  States  for  the  use  of  his  people. 

It  is  said  that  his  appointment  to  the  station  of  chief  was  entirely 
accidental.  Being  one  of  a  delegation  which  visited  the  seat  of 
government  while  General  Dearborn  was  Secretary  of  War,  the 
superiority  of  Colonel  Lewis,  in  dress  and  manners,  probably  in- 
duced the  Secretary  to  regard  him  as  the  most  conspicuous  person 
of  the  party,  and  he  presented  him  with  a  medal.  On  his  return, 
the  Indians  regarding  this  decoration  as  an  indication  of  the  wishes 
of  the  American  government,  and  desirous  to  testify  their  obedience 
to  the  hint  which  they  supposed  to  have  been  thus  given,  yielded 
to  him  tacitly,  a  precedence  which  .soon  grew  into  a  confirmed 
authority;  and  such  is  their  rigid  notion  of  disci])line,  and  their  ha- 
bitual respect  for  their  chiefs,  that  they  submitted  to  him  cheerfully 
while  he  remained  in  office.  They  even  retained  him  for  some 
time  after  they  were  satisfied  of  his  unworthiness,  at  the  instance 
of  the  agents  of  our  government,  who  supported  his  cause,  because 
they  found  him  inclined  to  peace,  and  friendly  to  the  whites. 


380 


QU  AT  AW  A  PEA. 


After  his  doposition  from  thu  chicftuiiisliip,  lie  emigrated  with  his 
family,  and  a  few  followers,  to  the  country  west  of  the  Mis,sissipi)i, 
allotted  by  the  American  government  to  the  Shawanoes,  where  he 
died  in  1826. 


METEA. 


The  stroii|rly  marked  features  of  tliis  iiidivicUial  are  indicative 
of  Ids  decisive  cliaracter,  and  tlic  original  cast  of  his  mind.  Metea 
was  distinguislied  as  an  orator  and  as  a  warrior,  lie  was  a  Polta- 
watimie  of  unhonnded  inlluence  in  liis  tribe,  and  was  esteemed  by 
all  who  knew  him  as  a  man  of  commanding  talents.  He  resided 
on  the  little  St.  Joscpji's  river,  about  twelve  miles  from  Fort  Wayne, 
in  Indiana. 

We  know  little  of  Metea  previous  to  the  unfortunate  war  between 
Great  Britain  and  tiic  United  States,  which  commenced  in  1812, 
when  his  name  was  prominently  connected  with  one  of  the  most 
tragic  scenes  of  that  conflict.  The  em])loyment  ol  savages,  in  the 
hostilities  again.st  our  frontier  settlements,  led  to  many  outrages, 
but  to  none  more  afllicting  than  the  mas.sacre  at  Chicago.  At  tliis 
solitary  spot,  far  in  the  ^\ilderness,  and  entirely  detached  from  any 
of  the  populous  parts  of  our  count.-y,  a  small  fort  had  been  esta- 
l)lis]ied,  and  a  few  families,  supported  chiefly  by  the  Indian  trade, 
formed  a  little  villng(>  in  its  vicinity.  Captain  Ileald,  Uie  com- 
mander, having  received  orders  from  General  Hull  to  abandon  the 
post,  and  retire  to  Detroit,  left  the  property  which  could  not  lie 
moved  under  charge  of  a  lew  friendly  Indians,  and  marclied  out 
with  tiic  garrison,  consisting  of  about  fifty  regulars  In  his  train 
were  some  females  and  children,  belonging  to  the  garrison,  and 
several  families  of  the  village,  who  were  unwilhng  to  remain  at  this 
solitary  and  exposed  jmint,  after  the  withdrawal  of  the  military 
T!!(>y  had  scarcely  left  their  fortress  when  a  band  of  Indians,  who 

(;wi) 


:)&! 


IJIUGRAPHY. 


had  been  watchiuif  the  nioiioiis  of  this  ill-liilcd  party,  rushed  u])oii 
them  and  coiiinieiiccd  the  work  of  exttTuiiiiiition.  'rwciily-tivc  of 
the  regulars,  and  nearly  all  of  the  defenceless  persons  under  their 
eliarf,rc',  were  slain.  A  few  of  the  soldiers  were  made  prisoners, 
and  a  few  escaped  Ijy  means  of  some  of  tiiose  miraculous  chances 
so  common  in  liorder  warfare.  Captain  lleald  and  his  wife,  who 
accompanied  him,  were  both  weunded.  We  ha\e  seen  an  accom- 
plished lady,  at  that  time,  thon;,di  married,  in  the  prime  of  her 
youtli,  who  was  a  partici|)ator  in  the  iiorrors  of  that  dreadlul  scene. 
8he  concealed  herself  for  a  time  by  j)lnngin|r  into  the  lake,  on 
wlio.se  borders  the  liloody  tragedy  was  acted,  and  at  last  escaped  by 
placing  henself  under  the  jjrotection  of  a  yonnjf  Indian,  whom  Aw. 
knew,  and  who  with  some  diniculty  extricated  lior  from  the  scene 
of  slauyhter,  and  conducted  her,  after  many  days  of  perilous  and 
toilsome  wanderinij;  in  tlie  wilderness,  in  safety  to  Detroit.  Metea 
wa:^  a  c'jns))icuous  leader  in  this  all'air. 

When  CJeneral  Harrison  marched  to  Fort  Wayne,  in  the  autunni 
of  1S12,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  the  siege  of  that  post,  Metea  led 
a  party  of  his  tribe  to  meet  and  obstruct  the  advance  of  the  Ameri- 
can army.  Having  posted  his  men  advantageously  in  a  swamp, 
five  miles  ea.st  of  the  fort,  through  which  the  army  of  Harrison 
must  ])ass,  he  advanced  some  distance  in  frcmt  of  them  for  the  pur- 
pose of  reconnoitering,  and  concealed  himself  behind  a  tree.  Gene- 
ral Harrison,  who  was  well  skilled  in  the  stratagems  of  Indian  war- 
fare, had  thrown  his  scouts  out  in  front  and  on  the  Hanks  of  his 
line  of  march  ;  and  as  one  of  these  was  silently  picking  his  \\  a}' 
through  the  bushes,  the  right  arm  of  Metea,  exposed  from  behind 
the  truidv  of  a  large  tree,  caught  his  eye.  To  throw  his  rifle  to  his 
shoidder,  tf)  aim  witli  unerring  precision  at  the  only  part  of  his 
enemy  which  was  visible,  and  to  iire,  required  but  an  instant  ;  and 
the  Pottawatimie  cliief,  with  his  arm  Ijroken,  retreated,  closely  pur- 
sued, to  liis  men,  who,  being  discovered,-  rai.sed  their  aml)uscade 
and  retired.     When  narrating  this  anecdote  afterwards  to  the  gen 


mi:  TEA, 


888 


tleman  from  whom  \vc  rrccivcd  it,  Mdca  niiKirkcd  tliat  !io  found 
yrciit  diilicnlty  in  rsciipini^-  ids  jjursncrs,  and  saving  ids  uim.  He 
uas  asiicd  wiiy  In;  did  not  tiiniw  uuay  liis  gun,  towidcli  Ik;  rcpiii'd, 
"  [  woidd  rallicr  liavo  lost  my  lilb.  Had  I  rL'tiirnod  fmni  {\iv.  hatllo 
witliont  my  gun,  I  slioidd  liavc  Ijct'ii  (iisgraccd  ;  liut  ii'  I  liad  iallrn 
with  my  I'aco  towards  tin.'  enemy,  my  yonng  mvn  would  iiav(;  saiil 
that  Metca  died  liicc  a  bravo." 

Metea  was  a  prominent  s})eaker  at  tlie  coinicil  liehi  at  Chicago, 


in  ls'21,  ai 


1(1  a 


terwards  at  tlie  troatv  of  tlic  \\  ahasli.  in  1n2( 


),  ant 


on   hoth  occasions  gave  (h'cisive  ovi(h'Mce  of  talent  as  a  debater. 
Our  informaid,  who  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  ('ongress,  and 

these  and  various  (ither  |)ul)lie  occasions, 


who  saw  this  individual  on 


remarked  that  he  had  heard  many  bursts  of  elo(|uence  from  hi 


III, 


.sucri  as  were  seldom  exceeded  by  an\-  [Hiblie  speaker. 

There  is  an  interesting  account  of  this  chief  in  the  \arrative  of 
Long's  Second  l'>.\[)cdition,  performed  in  1S'.2:},  from  which  we  ex- 
tract the  following  paragraphs,  descriptive  of  an  interview  with 
him  at  P'ort  Wayne,  where  the  party  halted  to  collect  information 
in  regard  to  the  Pottawatimies. 

"In  order  to  afford  the  piyty  an  opportunity  of  obtaining  the  best 
information.  General  Tipton  sent  for  one  of  the  principal  chiefs 
that  vicinity,  with  whom  they  conv<'rsed  two  days.     The  name 


in 


tl 


lis  man  was 


IMetei 


1,  which  signilies,  in  the  Pottawatimie  laii'ruaufi 


Kiss  mr.  IIu  was  represented  to  us  as  iieing  the  greatest  chief  of 
the  nation;  we  had,  however,  an  o|)j)ortnnity  of  ascertaining  after- 
wards that  he  was  not  the.  ])riiicipal  chief,  but  that  he  had,  bv  his 


talents  as  a  warr 


lor,  and  Ins 


eloq 


ueiice 


in  orator,  obtained  con 


siderable  influence  in  the  councils  of  his  n;ition.  \le  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a  partisan,  wlio,  hy  his  militarv  achievements,  lias  se- 
cured to  himself  the  command  of  an  independent  tril)e.  He  resides 
on  tlie  St.  Joseph,  about  nine  miles  from  Fort  Wayne,  at  an  Iiidi; 


111 


villagt;  called    Muskwawasejieotan,   'I'/ir  toir?/  of  thr  old  red  n'ood 

creek.     Being  a  chief  of  distinction,  he  came  accompanied  by  his 
49 


33i 


BIOGUAl'lIY. 


brotlier,  us  his  rank  rcqiiirod  that  lie  slioiikl  liu  assisted  Uy  some 
one  to  iij^lil  his  pipf,  and  pertunn  snch  other  duties  as  always  du- 
volve  uj)on  allenilauts.  Metea  appears  to  lie  a  man  vi'  ahout  forty 
or  fnrty-five  yi'ars  ut"  aye.  lie  is  a  l'ull-l)UH)ded  i'ottawatimiu ; 
his  stature  is  ahoiit  six  i'eet;  he  has  a  I'orhidiiing  aspect,  hy  no 
means  delicient  in  dignity.  His  features  are  strongly  marked,  and 
exjjressive  of  a  liaugiity  and  tyrannical  disposition;  his  coni|ilexion 
is  dark.  Like  most  of  tlu;  i'otlawatiniies  whom  we  met  with,  he 
is  characterized  l)y  a  low  a(piiliiie  and  well  shaped  nose.  His  eyes 
are  small,  elongated,  ami  black;  they  are  not  ^(■t  widely  apart.  His 
forehead  is  low  and  receding;  the  facial  angle  amounts  to  ahout 
eighty.  His  hair  is  black,  and  indii'ates  a  slight  tend'  ucy  to  curl. 
His  cheek  hones  are  remarkably  high  and  pronnnent,  even  for 
those  of  an  Indian;  tliey  are  not,  however,  angular,  but  present 
very  distinctly  the  rounded  ap|)earauce  which  distinguishes  the 
aboriginal  American  from  the  Asiatic.  His  month  is  large,  the 
upper  lip  prominent.  There  is  something  (uiplcasant  in  his  hioks, 
owing  to  his  opening  one  of  his  eyes  wider  thiin  the  other,  and  to 
a  scar  which  he  has  upon  the  wing  of  his  nostril.  On  lirst  inspec- 
tion his  conntenanct!  would  be  conside^'eil  as  (!xpressivc  of  deliance 
and  impi'tuous  daring,  but  ujion  closer  scrutiny  it  is  found  rather 
to  announce  obstinate  constancy  of  pur|)ose  and  sullen  liirtitude. 
We  behold  in  hini  all  the  characteristics  of  the  Indian  warrior  to 
perfection,  if  (!ver  an  ex[)ression  of  pity  or  of  the  kinder  allections 
belonged  to  his  countenaiiee,  it  has  been  driven  away  by  the  .scenes 
of  blootlshed  and  criU'lly  through  which  he  has  jiassed.  His  dress 
was  ohl  and  somewhat  dirt  v,  liut  ap|  rareil  to  have  been  arranged 
upon  his  person  with  no  small  decree  of  care.  It  (•onsisted  ot 
leather  leggins,  buttoned  on  the  outside,  a  breechcloth  of  blue 
broadcloth,  and  a  short  che([uer(!d  shirt  over  it;  the  whole  was 
covered  with  a  blanket,  which  was  secured  round  his  waist  ijy  a 
belt,  and  hung  not  ungracel'ully  Irom  his  shouldei's,  geuerally  con- 
cealing  his   right    arm,   which   is   rendered   useless  and  sonunvhat 


M  i:ti;a. 


HH't 


witlierod  from  ii  wniiiid  rccoivcd  tliirinif  llu  latu  \v;ir,  when  lie 
iittiickcd,  witli  ;i  siiiiill  \n\v\\  of  Indiiiiis,  tlic  fni-cc  tliat  was  advaiu-- 
iiiLT  lit  tlic  relief  of  Fori  Wayne.  His  fai'e  was  carefully  jiaiiited 
witli  veriiiilioii  round  his  lei'l  eye.  I'oiir  feathers,  colored  with- 
oiil  tastt^,  hun!4'  i)(diind,  secured  to  a  string  w  Inch  was  tied  to  a  lock 
of  his  hair.  In  our  second  ii.:i'r\ii.w  wilh  hiui,  lie  woic  a  reil  and 
white  feiither  ui  his  head,  thai  was  covered  with  other  ornaments 
(M[ually  deficient  in  taste.  Mr.  Seymour  took  a  likeness  of  liiui, 
wliich  was  considered  u  very  striking  one  by  all  who  knew  Mete  t  ' 
"The  chief  was  accompanied  by  his  brother,  who  is  ■' ui  h 
younger,  and  resembles  him,  i)ut  whose  features  indicate  ,i  mori^ 
amiable  and  interesting  disjwsitioii.  VVe  observed  that  during  tie 
interview  the  laller  treated  Muteu  with  nmch  respect,  always  pr<  - 
parin>:;  ind  lighting  his  pijie,  and  never  interfering  in. the  conver- 
sation unless  when  adtlressed  by  the  chief  On  entering  the  room 
wliere  the  gentlemen  of  the  party  were,  Metea  shook  hands  wilh 
the  agent,  but  took  no  notice  of  the  rest  of  the  company,  until  (Jene- 
ral  Tiplou  had  explained  to  him,  through  his  interpreter,  the  nature 
of  the  expedition,  tlie  object  of  his  Great  Fatlier,  the  Pr^'sideut,  in 
sendinsr  it  amontf  the  Indians,  and  the  information  which  would 
be  expected  from  him.  lie  informed  him  likewise  that  his  time  and 
trouble  would  be  suitably  rewarded.  The  cliief  then  arose  from 
his  seat,  shook  hands  with  all  wlio  were  present,  told  them  that  ho 
would  very  willingly  reply  to  all  their  questions,  but  that,  accord- 
ing to  usage,  he  was  bound  to  repeat  to  his  nation  all  the  iiuestions 
that  sliouM  be  asked  and  the  replies  that  he  would  make ;  that  there 
were  certaii.  points,  however,  on  which  lit;  could  give  no  informa- 
tion without  having  first  obtained  the  formal  consent  of  his  commu- 
nity;  that  on  these  subjects  he  would  remain  silent,  while  to  all 
others  he  would  reply  with  cheerfulness ;  and  that  after  the_y  should 
have  concluded  their  inquiries,  he  would  likewise  ask  them  some 
(uestions  upon  points  which  he  thought  concerned  his  nation,  and  to 
which  he  trusted  they  would  in  like  manner  reply.  He  then  resumed 


«j« 


386 


BIOGRAPHY. 


his  scat,  and  answered  with  much  intelhgoncc,  and  with  a  remark 
al)lc  degree  of  patience,  all  the  questions  that  were  asked  of  him." 

This  minule  narrative  is  not  only  graphic  in  relation  to  the 
appearance  and  deportment  of  Metea,  Ijut  is  highly  descriptive  of 
the  decorum,  the  caution,  and  the  gravity  of  the  Indian  character. 

After  the  war  Metea  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  Maiden  annually 
to  receive  jiay,  as  he  expressed  it,  for  his  arn),  from  his  Britisli 
father.  It  is  probable  that  he  received  presents  whenever  he 
visited  the  British  posts. 

In  tlie  latter  part  of  his  life  Metea  became  a  warm  advocate  for 
educating  the  youth  of  his  trilje;  and  in  1827,  having  collected  a 
nuinl)er  of  bo\s,  he  look  them  to  the  agent  at  Fort  Wayne,  who 
sent  them  to  the  C^hoctaw  academy  in  Kentucky. 

General  Tipton,  formerly  an  agent  in  the  Indian  Department, 
and  now  a  Senator  in  Congress,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the 
greater  ])art  of  this  sketch,  describes  Metea  as  possessing  many 
iioi)le  traits  of  (character,  lie  was  aml)itious  and  fond  of  power,  but 
he  was  brave  and  geiuTous,  giving  freely  to  his  friends,  and  never 
betraying  the  littlene.ss  of  any  selfish  propensity.  lie  devoted 
much  of  his  time,  and  all  his  care,  to  the  interests  of  his  nation,  and 
was  an  al)le  and  faitldul  chieftain.  Witli  all  these  good  (|iialilies 
lie  was  the  victim  of  that  fatal  passion  for  ardent  s[)irits  which  has 
lirought  sucli  swift  destruction  upon  iiis  race.  'J'he  last  eonneil 
he  attended  was  at  Fort  Wayne,  in  1S"27,  wiien  several  davs  were 
spent  in  adillieult  negotiation,  during  wliicii  he  attracted  attention 
by  the  dignity  and  propriety  of  Ids  bearing.  When  the  i)usiness 
was  concluded  he  remarked  tliat  he  must  have  a  frolic,  and  the 
aucnt  perinillecl  liini  to  receive  a  small  bottle  of  spirits;  bv  some 
secret  means  he  procured  more,  and  unliapi)ily  became  into.vicated. 
In  a  state  of  fnnizy  he  ronmed  through  the  village,  demanding 
liquor;  and  ;it  last  is  supposed  to  hav(>  taken  a  bottle  of  aipia  fortis 
from  the  window  of  a  slio]),  and  swallowed  the  contents,  which,  in 
about  half  an  hour,  caused  his  death. 


WATELLA. 


Wapkli.a,  whose  name  signifies  the  Prince,  or  the  Chief,  is  the 
head  man  of  the  Musquakee,  or  Fox  tribe.  He  was  one  of  tlie 
delegation  led  by  Keoknk  to  Washington  in  1837,  and  made  a 
favorable  impression  by  llie  correctness  of  his  deportment  on  tliat 
occasion.  In  statnre  he  is  shorter,  and  more  heavily  l)ui]t  than 
mo.st  of  the  Indians,  and  has  the  appearaiice  of  great  strength  and 
activity. 

In  tlie  council  held  l)y  tlie  Secretary  of  War,  for  tlie  pnrpose  of 
reconciling  the  8ionx  with  the  Sauks  and  Foxes,  Wa])ella  spoke 
next  after  Keoknk,  and  acquitted  himself  well.  Altlioiigli  he  pos- 
sessed not  the  line  form  and  striking  manner  of  Keokulc,  many 
thought  his  speech  not  inferior  to  that  of  the  principal  cliief  It 
was  well  digested,  sensiltle,  and  pertinent.  We  remarked  that,  in 
tlie  opening  of  his  harangue,  the  authority  of  Keokuk  was  distinctly 
recognized,  as  well  as  the  identity  of  interest  of  the  tribes  re[)re- 
sented  respectively  by  these  two  chiefs.  "My  father,"  said  Wa- 
pelia,  "you  have  heard  what  mj  chief  has  said.  He  is  the  chief 
of  our  natiou.  Ilis  tongue  is  ours.  What  he  savs  wr-  all  sav — 
whatever  he  does  we  will  be  bound  by  it." 

Having  concluded  their  visit  at  Washington,  tlie  delegates  were 
conducteil  to  several  of  the  principal  cities  of  the  Atlantic  states, 
wliere  they  excited  much  curiosity,  and,  we  are  happy  to  say,  were 
treated  with  uniform  kindness  and  hospitality.  Unfortunate  as  iu-e 
the  relations  between  our  government  and  the  Indians,  imposed  by 
a  train  of  circumstances  for  which,  as  a  people,  we  are  not  account- 


388 


BIO(JRAI'IIY. 


able,  there  is  evidently  no  lack  of  generous  sympatliy  towards  tliat 
race  in  any  part  of  onr  conntrv. 

Tlie  reception  of  these  Indian  deU<L,rat(>s  at  Boston  was  conducted 
with  more  ceremony  than  at  any  otlier  phice,  and  must  have  l)eeu 
highly  gratifying  to  tliem,  as  wt^ll  as  interesting  to  numerous 
assemblages  of  citizens,  most  of  whom  saw,  for  tlie  iirst  lime,  the 
American  savage  in  his  native  costume.  It  is  said  that  so  great 
a  multitude  was  never  assembled  in  that  city  to  witness  a  ]inl)lic 
spectacle.  In  the  morning  from  ten  to  twelve,  the  cliiefs  held  a 
levee  at  Faneuil  Hall,  lor  the  reception  of  ladies  exclusively,  when 
it  miglit  doubtless  have  Ijcen  said  of  the  Boston  ladies,  as  a  New 
J-ingland  poet  wrote  long  ago, 

"  All  longed  to  see  and  touch  the  tawny  man  ;" 

for  we  are  told  that  this  ancient  hall  was  crowded  in  everv  part, 
floor  and  gallery,  by  the  fair  citizens. 

At  II  Mill  the  chiefs  and  warriors  were  conducted  to  the  State- 
house,  where  the  Governor,  the  members  of  the  Legislature,  and 
other  dignitaries,  were  prepared  to  receive  them.  Governor  Everett, 
whose  celebrit}'  as  a  scholar,  statesman,  and  philanthropist,  would 
have  naturally  placed  him  in  a  consj)icuous  position  at  tiiis  e.vhibi- 
tioii  of  civic  hospitality,  independently  of  hisoflice,  addressed  thcui 
in  a  bland  and  spirited  manner.  Tiie  chiefs  rejjlied  separately.  As 
usual,  Keokuk  spoke  first,  and  after  him  Wapella.  The  retnarks 
of  the  latter  were  as  follows : 

"  I  am  very  happy  to  meet  niy  friends  in  the  land  of  my  fore- 
fathers. When  a  boy  I  recollect  my  grandfather  told  me  of  this 
place,  where  tlie  \\hite  man  used  to  take  our  fathers  by  tlie  hand. 
1  am  very  happy  that  this  land  has  induced  so  many  white  men  to 
come  upon  it;  by  tliat  I  think  they  get  a  living  on  it,  and  I  am 
pleased  that  they  content  tliemselves  to  stay  on  it.  (Great  applause.) 
I  am  always  glad  to  give  the  white  man  my  hand  and  call  him 
brother.     The  white  man  is  the  eldest  of  the  two ;  but  perhaps  you 


;   ' 


WAPELLA, 


have  heard  that  my  tribe  is  respected  by  all  others,  and  is  the 
oldest  among  the  tribes.  I  have  shaken  hands  with  a  great  many 
diflerent  tribes  of  people.  I  am  very  much  gratified  thai  I  have 
lived  to  come  and  talk  with  the  white  man  in  this  house,  where  my 
fathers  talked,  which  I  have  heard  of  so  many  years  ago.  I  m  ili 
go  home  and  tell  all  I  have  seen,  and  it  shall  never  be  forgotten  by 
my  children." 

When  the  speaking  was  concluded,  the  Governor  and  the  chiefs 
repaired  to  the  balcony  of  the  State-hou.se,  ^\•llich  overlooks  a 
beautiful  and  extensive  open  square,  where  presents  were  distri- 
buted to  the  Indians.  Keokuk  received  a  s])lendid  sword  and  a  pair 
of  pistols;  his  little  son  a  ])retty  little  rifle.  The  principal  chiefs 
were  presented  with  costly  swords,  and  otliers  of  less  value  were 
given  to  the  warriors.  Black  Hawk  had  a  sword  and  pistols. 
8hawls,  calico,  and  trinkets,  were  given  to  the  women.  "During 
this  ceremony,"  says  one  of  the  Bo.ston  editors,  "a  mass  of  at  least 
fifteen  acres  of  people  stood  below,  filling  the  streets  and  the  com- 
mo'i.  The  chiefs  were  escorted  to  the  common  by  the  cadets,  and 
l)egan  their  war  dance.  The  crowd  very  patiently  kept  outside  tlie 
lines,  leaving  a  space  of  many  acres,  in  the  centre  of  which  were 
the  Indians.  Tiieir  war  exercises  were  not  very  .striking.  One 
Ijeat  a- drum,  to  wiiich  tliey  hummed  monotonously,  and  jumped 
:ilioiit  grotesquely.  This  lasted  half  an  liour,  when  they  moved  otV 
in  carriages  to  their  Iddiiinu's." 

At  Philadelphia,  the  delegations  were  taken  to  Cooke's  splendid 
circus,  and  witnessed  the  equestrian  exercises,  which  were  i)ro])ablv 
more  to  their  taste  than  anv  exhibition  with  which  thev  were  <>rati- 
fled  during  their  lour.  At  \ew  York  they  visited  Mr.  CatliiTs 
extensive  gallery  of  Indian  portraits,  and  are  said  to  have  borne 
testimony  to  the  fidelity  of  the  likenesses  of  tlieir  ac(piaintances  in 
that  valuable  collection. 

rerhaj)s  the  mo.st  amusing  incident  of  this  tour  was  that  which 
occurred  at  the  Wa.shington  theatre,  to  which  the  several  In.hai. 


390 


BIOGRAPHY. 


delegations  had  access  every  evening  during  their  stay  in  the 
metropolis.  Their  conduct  on  these  occasions  did  not  evince  the 
apathy  usually  attributed  to  them,  but  struck  us  I'ather  as  charac- 
terizod  by  the  habitual  decorum  and  gravity  of  this  singular  people, 
mingled  with  an  indifference  resulting  from  their  indistinct  under- 
standing of  the  subject.  There  were  exceptions  to  tliis  general 
(loporlment.  They  sometimes  whispered  to  each  other,  with  an 
:i[)pearance  of  interest,  and  more  than  once  laughed  heartily  at 
some  stroke  of  buffoonery.     But  the  occurrence  alluded  to  was  of 

a  more  decided  character.     Miss was  acting  the  jjart  of  a 

sylph,  which  she  did  very  charmingly.  The  merit  of  the  perform- 
ance consisted  in  iier  graceful  attitudes,  and  in  movements  so  liglit 
and  easy  that  they  seemed  to  be  effected  l)y  means  of  mere  mental 
volition,  independently  of  the  vulgar  locomotive  machinery  com- 
monly used  by  mortals.  The  Sioux  occupied  a  stage  box,  and 
were  so  much  deliglited  that,  in  the  midst  of  the  performance,  one 
of  llieni  ro.so,  and,  taking  a  ilressed  buffalo  robe  from  his  shoukler.s, 
threw  it  at  the  feet  of  the  actress,  with  a  speech,  which,  according 
to  the  established  phraseology,  sliould  doubtless  be  called  an  appro- 
priate address;  i.nother  threw  a  head-dress,  a  third  something  else, 
u.itil  tlie  whole  company  had  each  given  a  token  of  his  approba- 
tion. Though  taken  by  surprise,  the  syl[)h  showed  great  presence 
of  mind;  indeed,  if  there  is  any  thing  for  which  a  woman  is  never 
wholly  unprepared,  it  is  admiration.  Gathering  up  the  unexpected 
trii)utc,  she  tlirew  the  articles  over  her  arm,  and  continued  to  act 
in  character,  until  showers  of  Indian  finery  became  so  thick  that 
she  was  obliged  to  seek  assistance  to  remove  them.  After  a  moment- 
ary absence  she  reappeared  with  a  sheaf  of  ostrich  feathers,  which 
she  distributed  among  the  warriors — with  an  appropriate  address. 

We  may  mention,  in  connection  with  the  foregoing  anecdotes, 
the  conduct  of  some  Pawnee  and  Oto  chiefs  and  wiiriors,  who 
visited  the  Cincinnati  theatre,  on  their  way  to  Washington,  during 
file  same  season.     The  Ravel  family  were  exhibiting  their  wonder- 


WAPELLA. 


391 


ful  feats  of  strength  and  agility,  and  the  Indians  evidently  shared 
the  universal  admiration  excited  by  tht^se  surprising  performances 
They  confined  themselves,  however,  to  the  ordinary  expressions  of 
pleasure,  until  the  lad  who  was  called  the  "  Infant  Hercules"  exhi- 
bited a  feat  which  displayed  great  muscular  power,  when  tlie  whole 
band  evinced  their  admiration  by  loud  shouts. 


■50 


TUSTENNUGGEE    EMATIILA. 


This  is  a  fine  looking  nuui,  six  feet  uiid  one  inch  in  liciglit,  of 
manly  and  martial  appearance,  and  great  physical  strength,  who 
seems  well  cidculated  to  command  the  respect  of  a  band  of  savage 
warriors.  Our  brief  sketch  of  him  is  framed  from  memoranda  taken 
from  his  own  lips.  lie  is  a  full-blooded  Creek,  and  was  born  on 
the  Tallapoosa  river,  about  the  year  1793,  which  would  make  him 
forty-five  years  old  at  the  period  to  which  we  bring  down  his  bio- 
graphy, lie  is  most  generally  known  by  the  familiar  name  of  Jim 
Boy,  but  is  proj)erly  entitled  to  that  which  we  have  j)lace(l  at  the 
head  of  tins  article,  Tustennuggee,  meaning  warrior,  and  Emathla, 
which  signifies  itext  to  (he  /rurrior. 

When  the  war  broke  out  in  1811,  between  the  Creeks  and  the 
American  people,  he  was  too  young  to  wield  the  tomahawk,  \nit 
was  permitted  to  follow  the  warriors  of  his  nation  to  the  field;  and 
he  thus  wilnessoil  the  capture  of  Fort  Mimms,  a  fortress  which  the 
Indians  surprised  at  ihe  conunencement  of  hostilities,  and  where 
they  basely  massacred  all  who  fell  into  their  hands,  without  regard 
to  age  or  sex.  lie  was  also  present  at  the  battle  of  C'ahawba,  but 
took  no  furthc^r  ])art  in  that  war.  lie  afterwards  accompanied  Gene- 
ral Jackson,  under  the  command  of  Mcintosh,  towards  Florida,  but 
was  not  in  any  fight. 

When  the  Creek  nation  became  divided  into  two  parties,  one  of 
whom  were  friendly  to  the  American  people  and  government,  and 
dis]iosed  to  vield  to  the  settled  and  inevitable  policy  which  de 
manded  their  entire  separation  irom  the  white  race,  and  the  other 


inOGRAPIIY. 


S'.r.i 


m 


hostile  to  our  country  auil  unwilling  to  emigrate,  Tustennuggee 
Ematlila  uttaclied  himself  to  the  former  party.  He  lias  continued, 
since  he  readied  the  years  of  maturity,  tlie  undeviating  friend  :  '' 
the  Americans;  and  it  allbrds  us  great  pleasure  to  recognize,  in  the 
steady  attachment  of  this  individual  and  many  others,  the  most 
intelligent  and  best  disposed  of  their  race,  some  proof  that,  what- 
ever abuses  may  have  corrupted  and  disgraced  our  intercourse  witli 
that  unfortunate  })eople,  the  general  policy  of  our  government 
towards  them  has  been  of  a  kind  and  liberal  character. 

In  the  late  war  in  Florida,  Tustennuggee  Emathla  seems  to 
have  rendered  some  service.  General  Jessup  sought  his  services 
to  lead  a  party  against  the  Seminoles,  and  he  accordingly  raised  a 
band  of  seven  hundred  and  seventy-six  warriors,  whom  he  con- 
ducted to  the  seat  of  war.  lie  descended  the  Chattahooche  to 
Tampa  Bay,  having  instructions  from  General  Jessup  not  to  engage 
in  hostilities  against  the  Seminoles  until  he  should  lirst  have  endea- 
vored, as  a  mediator,  to  induce  them  to  abandon  tlie  bloody  and 
fruitless  contest  in  which  they  were  unhappily  engaged.  In  this 
attempt  he  was  not  successful;  and  we  find  him,  soon  after  his 
arrival  at  Tampa,  joining  the  camp  of  Colonel  Lane,  by  whom  he 
was  sent,  witli  two  hundred  of  his  wprriors,  to  look  after  the  Semi- 
noles. He  fell  in  witli  a  party  of  tlie  latter,  and  drove  them  into  a 
swamp,  from  which  they  opened  a  fire  and  wounded  several  of  his 
men.  lie  was  then  sent  to  meet  Governor  Call,  and  arrived  at  the 
spot  where  General  Gaines  was  surrov  nded,  soon  after  that  officer 
had  been  relieved.  On  the  following  day  he  joined  Governor  Call, 
and  proceeded  to  Fort  Drane.  Thence  they  moved  on  one  of  Acee- 
Yoholo's  towns,  called  Weecockcogee,  or  little  river,  about  sixty 
miles  from  Fort  Drane,  where  the  Seminoles,  though  numerous, 
refused  them  battle,  fled,  and  were  pursued.  The  Creeks  were 
unable  to  overtalce  them  ;  but  the  Tennessee  horse  fell  in  with  them 
on  the  following  day,  and  a  fight  ensued,  in  whicn  several  were 
killed  on  each  side. 


39^ 


TUSTENNUGGEE    EMATIILA. 


Pustennuggee  and  liis  party  joined  the  army  again  at  Fort  Dndf, 
and  tlie  Seminoles  being  in  a  Swamp  hard  by,  an  attack  was 
planned,  in  which  the  Creeks  were  invited  to  go  foremost,  an  lionor 
which  they  promptly  declined,  while  they  cheerfully  agreed  tc 
advance  side  by  side  with  the  white  men.  In  this  fight  the  Creeks 
lost  four  men,  besides  one  who  was  accidentally  killed  by  the 
whites;  but  the  Seminoles  were  beaten.  He  was  afterwards  sent 
to  a  place  towards  Fort  Augustine  for  provisions,  and  was  in  several 
skirmishes  not  worth  recording. 

This  chief  stales  that  he  joined  our  army  under  a  promise  made 
by  the  commanding  general,  that  in  the  removal  of  the  Creeks  to 
the  west  of  the  ]Mi.ssissip[)i,  which  was  about  to  take  place,  his 
family  and  properly  should  be  attended  to,  and  that  he  should  be 
indemnified  for  any  loss  that  might  happen  in  consequence  of  his 
absence.  These  stipulations,  he  alleges,  were  broken  by  the  removal 
of  his  women  and  children  while  he  was  absent  in  the  service  of 
the  government,  whereby  Fus  entire  property  was  destroyed.  Nor 
was  this  the  worst  of  his  misfortunes.  His  family,  consisting  of  a 
wife  and  nine  children,  wore  among  the  unfortanate  persons  who 
were  on  board  the  steamboat  Monmouth  when  thai  vessel  was  sunk 
by  the  mismanagement  of  those  to  whose  care  it  was  intrusted ; 
and  tu'o  hundred  and  lliirty-six  of  the  Creeks,  including  four  of 
the  children  of  Tustenmiggec  Emathla,  were  drowned.  Melan- 
choly as  such  an  occurrence  would  be  under  any  circu.Tistances, 
the  catastrophe  is  infinitely  tlie  more  deplorable  when  happening 
to  an  ignorant  people  while  emigrating  unwillingly  under  the 
charge  of  our  public  agents,  and  to  a  people  wliose  whole  inter- 
course with  the  wliites  has  tended  to  render  them  suspicious  of  the 
faith  of  civiUzed  men.  The  more  intelligent  among  them  will 
d()ul)tless  attribute  the  misfortune  to  culpable  negligence,  if  not 
flosign,  while  the  ignorant  will  see  in  it,  with  superstitious  awe, 
another  link  in  the  chain  of  fatal  events  entailed  upon  the  red  men 
by  their  contact  with  the  white  race.     So  far  as  the  chief  before  us 


BIOGRAPHY. 


395 


has  any  claim  upon  the  justice  or  benevolence  of  our  country,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  the  government  will  maintain  its  faith  in"io- 
late.  Whatever  may  be  thought  of  our  policy  towards  the  Indian 
tribes,  as  such,  we  are  not  chargeable,  as  a  people,  with  any 
backwardness  in  the  discharge  of  our  obligations  to  individual 
claimants. 


PEAIIMUSKA. 


This  person  was  the  jirincipal  chief  of  the  Fox,  or  Musquakee 
tribe,  and  was  considered  a  peaceable,  well  disposed  man.  An 
Indian  of  such  a  character  has  little  history ;  if  not  signalized  by 
exploits  of  war,  revenge,  or  depredation,  his  slothful  life  is  expended 
in  pursuits  which  afford  no  incident  worthy  of  record.  His  sum- 
mers are  spent  in  the  chase,  and  his  winters  in  sleep. 

The  iMusquakees,  as  is  remarked  in  another  place,  are  the  rem- 
nant of  a  tribe  once  powerful,  but  now  incorporated  with  the  Sauks, 
and  the  chief  has  but  a  narrow  sphere  of  duty  or  influence. 

Although  Peahnuiska  lived  an  inoffensive,  reputable  life,  we  are 
sorry  to  record  that  he  died  by  violence.  He  was  proceeding,  a 
few  years  ago,  to  Prairie  du  Cliien,  with  a  small  party,  consisting 
of  eight  or  ten  warriors  of  his  tribe,  and  had  encamped  for  the  night 
within  a  day's  journey  of  that  place,  when  a  party  of  Menomenies, 
who  had  secretly  pursued  them,  surprised  the  sleeping  band  and 
murdered  tlicm  all  except  one,  who  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape. 
In  revenge  for  this  mtissacre,  a  war  party  of  Sauks  and  Foxes  after- 
wards stole  upon  a  number  of  Menomenies,  at  Prairie  du  Chien, 
and  slew  them  all,  within  siglit  of  the  American  fort.  The  com- 
manding officer,  considering  his  authority  insulted,  and  desiring  to 
put  a  stop  to  these  retaliatory  measures,  demanded  of  the  Sauks 
the  delivery  of  the  murderers ;  but  Keokuk,  the  head  chief,  replied 
that  they  were  so  numerous  that  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  take 
them.  The  offenders,  in  the  mean  while,  expecting  that  some  at- 
tempt would  be  made  by  the  agents  of  the  American  government, 

{  39f5  ) 


n  I  o  r;  r  a  p  ii  y. 


897 


to  punish  their  audacity,  had  banded  tliems(>lves  under  Black  Hawk, 
and  wore  i)ro[)ariii<r  for  war.  It  was  during  tlic  existence  of  this 
stale  of  excitement,  tliat  sonu!  oilier  collisions  took  place,  which 
led  to  the  war  in  whicli  Black  Iluwk  figured  as  the  princijial 
leader. 

The  Sauks  and  Foxes  are  considered  to  be  an  hospitable  people, 
and  friendly  to  the  whites;  but,  in  the  prosecution  of  their  wars,  or 
schemes  of  revenge,  are  regarded,  even  by  the  Indians,  as  remark- 
ably cunning  and  treacherous.  They  relate  of  themselves,  with 
great  exullalion,  an  exploit  which  they  deem  highly  creditable  to 
their  character  as  warriors.  A  parly  of  them,  while  on  a  hunting 
expedition,  fell  in  with  an  equal  number  of  lovvays,  with  whom 
they  were  then  at  peace,  but  against  whom  they  cherished  a  secret 
hatred,  arising  out  of  some  ancient  feud.  Professing  to  be  delighted 
at  the  meeting,  they  invited  the  loways  to  a  feast ;  and  when  their 
unsusjiectiiig  guesls  were  .seated  round  the  banquet,  consisting  of  a 
roasted  dog,  each  warrior  of  the  Sauk  and  Fox  party  selecting  his 
victim,  the  whole  of  llie  loways  were  shot  at  the  same  instant;  after 
which  the  murderers  devoured  the  feast  in  triumph.  Such  are  the 
daring  and  ihe  cliivalry  of  the  red  man;  such  the  deeds  of  gratui- 
tous extermination  which  often  characterize  them,  and  wliich,  in 
connection  with  other  destroying  influences,  are  operating  in  pass- 
ing these  people  away  from  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 


MAJOK  RIDGE. 


The  subject  of  this  biography  received  from  his  parents  in 
infancy,  the  name  of  Nung-noh-hut-tar-heo,  or  He  who  slays  the 
enenuj  in  the  path.  After  arriving  at  tlio  age  of  a  hunter,  on  being 
asked  "  whicii  way  did  you  come  into  camp?"  he  would  reply,  "I 
came  along  the  top  of  the  mountain."  This  answer  being  frequently 
repeated,  it  was  seized  upon  as  indicating  a  characteristic  habit  in 
the  young  hunter,  who  was  thenceforward  called  Kah-nung-da-tla- 
geh,  or  The  man  who  walks  on  the  mountain's  top.  The  name  by 
wliich  he  has  been  subsequently  known,  may  have  been  derived 
from  the  Cherokee  words  which  signify  the  summit  or  ridge  of  a 
mountain. 

The  date  of  the  birth  of  this  individual  is  not  known,  as  the 
Cherokees,  previous  to  the  recent  invention  of  an  alphabet  of  their 
tongue,  possessed  no  means  by  which  they  could  record  the  ages  of 
their  children.  It  is  believed  that  he  is  about  sixty-six  years  old, 
which  would  fix  the  date  of  his  nativity  at  about  the  year  1771. 
He  was  bora  at  a  Cherokee  town  called  Highwassie,  situated 
upon  the  river  of  the  same  name,  and  on  the  edge  of  a  beautiful 
prairie,  encircled  by  forests.  It  is  just  at  this  point  that  the  High- 
wassie breaks  through  a  range  of  lofty  mountains,  with  great 
velocity  and  power.  The  scenery  affords  a  fine  combination  of  the 
grand  and  beautiful;  and  those  who  imagine  that  the  germs  of 
poetry  and  eloquence  may  be  planted  in  the  young  mind,  by  the 
habitual  contemplation  of  bold  and  attractive  landscape,  would 
readily  select  this  as  a  spot  calculated  to  be  richly  fraught  with 

(398) 


PlOdKAI'lIV. 


899 


such  ])oiiigii  iiifliiciiccs.  Tho  fiitlicr  (if  l\'iiltfi!  was  n  full-bloocled 
( 'lierokce,  wlio,  tlioii(rli  not  (listiii(>iiisli(,d  iii  tlio  coiincil  of  the 
nation,  was  a  famous  liuntiir,  and  had  onco  taken  tlic  ^scal|)  of  an 
In(Uan  warrior  on  the;  Kaskaskia  river.  'I'hc;  snhject  of  tliis  notice 
was  the  fonrth  son  of  his  parents,  hut  tiie  (irst  wlio  reached  the 
years  of  niatiwity ;  and  of  two  brothers  and  a  sister  youn<,fer  tlian 
himself,  hut  one  survives,  wlio  is  tho  father  of  Elias  Houdinot.  His 
motiier  was  a  res|)ectahle  Cherokee  woman  of  the  half  hiood,  her 
father  ijeing  a  white  man,  of  whose  origiu  or  history  we  have  not 
been  able  to  collect  any  information. 

Tho  most  prominent  feature  in  the  early  reniiiuscenees  of  Rid "-e, 
refers  to  tlie  distressed  situation  to  whieli  the  Cherokees  were  re- 
duced by  the  inva.sions  of  the  white  people,  who  burned  their  vil- 
laifes,  and  killed  their  peojjle.  W  hen  his  fatiier,  wearied  of  these 
hostile  incursions,  resolved  on  flight,  he  took  his  family  in  canoes 
down  the  llighwassie  to  the  Tennessee  river,  and  ascended  the 
smaller  branches  of  that  stream  to  the  Sequochee  mountains,  in 
whose  deep  glens  and  rock-bound  fastnes.ses  they  were  secure 
from  pursuit.  Here  the  game  alioiinded,  and  the  young  hunter 
received  liis  first  lessons.  His  lit  her  taught  him  to  steal  with 
noiselpss  tread  upon  the  grazing  imiuial — to  deceive  the  timid  doe 
by  mimicking  the  cry  of  the  fawn — or  to  entice  the  wary  buck 
within  the  reach  of  his  missile,  by  decorating  his  own  head  witji 
antlers.  He  was  inured  to  patieiu.-e,  fatigue,  self-denial,  and  expo- 
sure, and  acquired  the  sagacity  which  enal)]cd  him  to  chase  with 
success  the  .wild  cat,  the  bear,  and  the  panther.  He  watched  the 
haunts,  and  studied  the  habits  of  wild  animals,  and  became  expert 
in  the  arts  which  enable  the  Indian  hunter  at  all  seasons  to  procure 
food  from  the  stream  or  the  forest. 

Having  continued  in  this  primary  and  parental  school  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twelve,  the  young  Indian  was  considered  as 
having  made  a  proficiency  which  entitled  liini  to  be  advanced  to  a 
higher  grade  of  studies;  and  a  superstitious  rite  was  required  to  be 


.51 


400 


MAJOR    RIDGE. 


performed  to  give  due  solemnity  to  the  ocoasioii.  The  usages  of 
the  nation  made  it  requisite  tliat  liis  martial  training  should  he  pre- 
ceded by  a  formal  dedication  to  the  life  and  business  of  a  warrior, 
and  an  invocation  to  the  Great  Spirit  to  endue  him  with  courage 
and  good  fortune.  For  tiiis  purpose  his  jiarents  solicited  the  assist- 
ance of  an  aged  warrior,  whose  numerous  aciiievements  in  battle 
had  established  for  him  a  high  reputation  ,  and  whose  sagacity  and 
valor  gave  him,  in  the  estimation  of  his  tribe,  the  envied  rank  of  a 
Ulysses.  The  assent  of  the  war-ciiief  was  conveyed  in  the  brief 
avowal  that  he  would  mulie  kirn  (Jrcudfiil  The  ceremony  took 
place  immediatelv.  Tlie  hoary  l)rave,  standing  upon  the  brink  of 
a  mountain  stream,  called  upon  the  Great  Spirit  to  fdl  the  mind  of 
the  young  warrior  with  warlike  inclinations,  and  his  heart  with 
courage.  He  then,  with  tlie  bone  of  a  wolf,  tiie  end  of  which  ter- 
minated in  several  sharj)  ])oints,  scratched  the  naked  l)oy,  from  tlie 
.palm  of  one  hand  along  the  front  of  the  arm,  across  the  l)reast,  and 
along  the  other  arm  to  the  hand — and  in  like  manner  lines  were 
drawn  from  the  heels  u|)ward  to  the  shoulders,  aii.l  from  the  shoul- 
ders over  the  br(>ast  downward  to  the  feet — and  from  the  bacdv  of 
one  hand  along  the  arm,  across  the  back,  and  to  the  back  of  the 
other  hand.  7'he  lines  thus  made  each  covered  a  space  of  two 
inches  in  width,  and  consisted  of  jiaralle!  incisions  which  pene- 
trated through  the  skin,  and  caused  an  effusion  of  l)lood  along  their 
entire  extent.  lie  was  then  required  to  plunge  into  the  stream  and 
bathe,  after  which  the  v.'ar-chief  washed  his  whole  body  witli  a 
decoction  of  medicinal  herbs;  and,  in  conclusion,  he  was  com- 
lUiinded  not  to  associate  witii  the  fcmah'  chiliU'en,  nor  to  sit  near  a 
woman,  nor,  in  short,  to  sutler  the  touch  of  one  of  that  sex  during 
{\\v  space  of  seven  days.  At  the  end  of  this  term  the  war-chief 
came  to  him,  aid  after  delivering  an  address  to  the  CJreat  .Spirit, 
placed  l)efore  the  young  candidate  foorl,  consisting  of  partridg(!s  and 
7nmli.  The  partridu'e  was  used  on  this  occasion,  l)ecause,  in  its 
(light,  this  liird  makes  a  noise,  with  its  wings  resembling  lluiader 


BIOGRAPHY. 


401 


while  in  sitting  or  walking  it  is  remarkably  silent,  and  diflicult  to 
discover — and  thus  wore  indicated  the  clamor  of  the  onset,  and  tiie 
cautions  stealth  which  shoidd  govern  the  movements  of  the  warrior 
at  all  other  times.  It  is  thus  that  tlie  Indian  is  made  in  early  life 
the  subject  of  superstition,  is  taught  to  believe  himself  sui)ernalu- 
rally  endued  with  courage,  and  is  artificially  supplied  with  qualities 
which  might  otherwise  never  have  been  developed  in  his  mind. 

When  Ridge  was  fourteen  years  old,  a  war  party  was  made  up 
at  Checstooyec,  where  his  parents  then  resided  ;  the  warriors  danced 
the  war-dance,  and  sung  war  songs  to  induce  the  young  men  to 
join  in  the  expedition.  These  martial  exercises  had  such  an  elfect 
upon  young  Ridge,  that  he  volunteered  against  his  father's  wishes, 
and  in  despite  of  the  tears  of  his  motiier ;  and  went,  with  two 
hundred  of  the  tril)C,  against  a  fort  of  the  Americans  in  'rennessee, 
which  was  assaulted  without  success.  In  this  expedition  he  endured, 
without  a  murmur,  great  hardship  and  dangers. 

In  the  same  year  the  whites  made  an  irruption  at  a  place  called 
the  Cherokee  Orchard,  and  retired  after  killing  one  Indian.  The 
Cherokees,  expecting  that  their  enemies  would  return,  arranged  u 
force  of  about  two  hundred  men  in  an  ambuscade,  near  the  Orchard, 
and  had  spies  posted  to  watch  tlie  fords  of  the  river  Tennessee, 
where  it  was  expected  the  while  people  would  cross.  It  w;'s  soon 
reported  that  thirty  horsemen,  and  six  men  on  loot  w:.re  approach- 
ing. I'he  Cherokees  were  divided  into  two  parlies,  one  of  which 
was  to  attack  the  whites  in  front,  while  the  other  was  to  throw  itself 
across  their  rear,  to  intcrcei)t  their  retreat.  The  whites  being  taken 
by  surprise,  were  beaten,  and  sought  safety  in  flight.  Those  on 
foot  were  taken  and  kilUvi,  while  the  horsemen  plunged  into  the 
river,  where  they  coniinued  to  maintain  the  uneciual  conllict  with 
great  obstinacy.  A  (vw  who  rode  strong  and  fleet  horses,  escaped 
by  clambering  uj)  a  steep  bank,  and  the  rest  were  slain.  One  of 
the  Cherokees  ha\  ing  overtaken  a  white  man  who  was  ascending 
the  bank,  after  recrossing  the  river,  grappled  with  him  in  deadly 


402 


AlAJOll    IIIDGK. 


fight.  The  wliite  man  being-  Ihe  stronger,  tiirew  the  Indian,  wlien 
a  second  came  to  the  assistance  of  tiie  latter,  and  while  the  gallant 
Teniiessean  was  combatting  with  two  foes,  Kidge,  who  was  armed 
with  a  spear  oidy,  came  np  and  despatched  the  unfortunate  white 
nian,  '.ry  j)Iunging  his  wea[)on  into  him.  'I'liis  atl'air  was  considered 
.  highly  creditable  to  Ridge,  liie  Indians  regarding  not  courage  only, 
hut  success,  as  indicative  of  merit,  and  appreciating  highly  the 
good  fortone  wliich  enables  one  of  their  uumi)er  to  shed  the  bknid 
of  an  enemy,  in  however  accidental  or  stealthy  a  manner. 

Soon  after  this  ailair,  he  conducted  his  father,  who  was  sic)-,  to  a 
place  more  distant  from  the  pro!)al)le  scene  of  war,  and  then  joined 
a  large  army  composed  of  the  combined  forces  of  the  Creeks  and 
Chcrolvees;  the  latter,  led  by  the  chiefs  Little  Turkey  and  White 
Dog,  and  the  former  i)y  Chinnuhbe.  Tiie  object  of  this  enterprise 
waste  take  Knoxville,  then  the  chief  place  in  Tennessee;  but  it 
w;',s  not  successful.  In  con.sequence  of  a  disagreement  among  the 
chiefs,  they  returned  without  attacking  the  head-quarters  of  the 
white  settlements,  after  capturing  a  .small  garrison  n-    r  Marvsville. 

In  another  ailair  Ridge  was  scarcely  more  fortunate.  lie  joined 
a  company  of  hunters,  and  jjas.sed  the  Cundjerland  mountains  info 
Kentucky,  to  cha.se  the  bullalo  and  the  bear.  While  thus  engaged, 
their  leader,  who  was  called  Tah-cung-stee-.skce,  or  tiie  Remover, 
propo.sed  to  kill  souk;  white  men,  for  the  piu-pose  of  supplying  the 
party  with  tobacco,  their  whole  store  of  which  iiad  been  consumed. 
Ridge  was  left,  with  an  old  man,  to  guard  the  camp;  the  remainder 
of  the  party  set  out  upon  this  righteous  war,  and  after  a  brief  ab- 
sence, returned  with  several  scalps,  and  some  tobacco  which  had 
been  taken  out  of  the  pockets  of  the  slain.  This  incident  alTords 
an  examj)le  of  the  slight  cause  which  is  considered  amon"-  savai^es 
a  .sufficient  i-iJucemeiit  for  the  sliedding  of  blood.  We  know  not 
who  were  the  unhappy  victims;  they  might  have  been  Inuiters, 
but  were  as  |)roi)ably  the  mend)ors  of  some  emigrant  family  which 
had  settled  in  the  wildeiaess,  whose  slumbers  were  broken  at  mid- 


BIOGRAPHY. 


408 


111  1,1  by  the  war-wlioop,  and  wlio  saw  eacli  oilier  butchered  in 
cold  blood  by  a  i)arty  of  nuiraudcrs,  who  souylit  to  renew  their 
exhausted  store  of  tobacco!  W  a  arc  told  that  Kidge  was  so  greatly 
mortified  at  having  been  obliged  to  remain  inactive,  far  from  the 
scene  of  danger,  that  he  actually  wept  over  tlu;  loss  of  honor  he  had 
sustained,  and  that  his  grief  was  with  dilHculty  apj, eased. 

He  returned  home  after  an  absence  of  seven  months,  and  found 
that  both  his  parents  had  died  during  th.at  period,  leaving  liim, 
still  a  youth,  with  two  younger  brothers  and  a  sister,  to  provide  for 
themselves,  or  to  depend  upon  the  cold  charity  of  relatives,  whose 
scanty  subsistence  was  derived  from  the  chase.  Under  these  depress- 
ing circumstances,  he  .spent  .several  years  in  ol)scurity,  liiit  always 
actively  engaged  either  upon  the  war  patii,  in  predatory  excursions 
against  the  whites,  or  in  hunting  expeditions  to  remote  places 
where  the  game  al)ounded.  On  one  occasion,  when  he  was  about 
seventeen  years  of  age,  he,  with  four  others,  killed  some  white  men 
upon  the  waters  of  Ilolston,  during  one  of  those  brief  seasons  of 
peace  which  sometimes  beamed  on  the  frontier,  like  sunny  days  in 
the  depth  of  winter — a  peace  having  been  declared  durintr  the 
absence  of  this  party.  That  unfortunate  act  was  the  cause  of  a 
new  war.  The  enraged  whites  collected  a  force,  invaded  the 
Cherokees  who  were  holding  a  council  at  Tellico,  and  killed  a  large 
number  of  their  warriors.  This  event  affords  another  illustration 
of  the  brittle  nature  of  compacts  between  the  inhabitants  of  the 
frontier,  accustomed  to  mutual  aggression,  and  ever  on  the  watch 
to  revenge  an  insult,  or  to  injure  a  hated  foe;  while  it  sliows  also 
that  the  beginnings  of  these  wars  arc  often  the  result  of  the  most 
fortuitous  causes — growing  more  frequently  out  of  the  mistakes, 
or  lawless  acts  of  individuals,  than  from  any  deliberate  national 
decision. 

Ridge  and  his  companions,  having  been  detained  by  the  sick- 
ness of  one  of  their  number,  did  not  arrive  at  the  (-ncampment  of 
the  tribe,  at  the  Pine  Log,  until  after  the  consefiucnces  of  their 


404 


MAJOR  UIDGE. 


rash  act  had  been  realized  in  the  slaughter  of  some  of  tin?  ])riiici- 
/)al  men  of  the  nation  by  the  white  people.  Tliey  were  coldly 
rcjccived:  the  relatives  of  the  slain  were  incensed,  and  disposed  to 
take  revenge  for  their  loss,  upon  the  young  men  who  had  occa- 
sioned the  misfortune,  nor  were  there  wanting  accusers  to  ujjbraid 
tliem  openly  as  the  authors  of  a  great  public  calamity.  Jluving  no 
excuse  to  offer.  Ridge,  with  a  becoming  spirit,  proposed  to  repair 
his  error  as  far  as  ])ossible,  by  warding  oil' its  effects  from  his  coun- 
trymen. He  raised  the  w;ir-whoop,  entered  the  village,  as  is  cus- 
tomary with  those  who  return  victorious,  and  called  for  '.olunteers 
to  march  against  the  enemy— but  Uiere  was  no  response;  tije  vil- 
l.'ige  was  still,  no  veteran  warrior  greeted  the  ])arty  as  victors,  and 
those  who  mourned  over  deceased  relatives,  scowled  at  them  as 
they  pas.scd.  The  usual  triumph  was  not  allowed,  and  the  young 
aggressors,  .so  for  from  being  joined  by  others  in  a  ne.v  expedition, 
fell  back  al«ished  by  the  chilling  and  contemi)tuous  reception  which 
they  met.  One  old  man  alone,  a  conjurer,  who  had  prophesied  that 
when  these  young  men  should  return,  the  war-pole  would  bo  orna- 
mented with  the  scalps  of  their  enemies,  felt  dis])osed  to  verify  his 
own  prediction  by  having  those  bloody  trophies  j)araded  upon  tiie 
war-post,  and  he  exerted  himself  to  cMect  a  change  in  the  public 
mind.  At  length  tlie  voice  of  one  chief  declared,  that  fallen  rela- 
tives would  be  poorly  revenged  by  shedding  the  blood  of  friends, 
and  that  if  satisfaction  was  required  it  should  bo  taken  from  the 
pale-faces.  He  then  commenced  the  war-song,  at  the  sound  of 
which  the  habitual  thirst  of  the  Indian  for  vengeance  began  to  be 
excited ;  the  young  men  responded,  and  volunteers  offered  tliem- 
selves  to  in  against  the  common  enemy,  among  whom  Ridge  was 
the  first.  The  party  proceeded  immediately  against  a  small  fort 
on  the  frontier,  which  they  took,  and  murdered  all  the  inmates- 
men,  women,  and  cliildren.  Ridge  lias  since  frequently  relatea 
tlie  foct,  that  the  women  and  children  w(>re  at  first  made  prisoners, 
but  were  hewn  down  by  the  ferocious  leader  Doublehead,  who 


BIOGRAPHY. 


40o 


aftorwanls  became  a  conspicuous  man,  and  a  tyrant  in  the  nation; 
he  s])ol.c  of  this  foul  deod  with  abliorrencc,  and  declared  that  he 
t\u-ned  aside,  and  looked  another  way,  unwillin<r  to  witness  that 
whicli  he  could  not  prevent. 

We  pass  over  the  events  of  the  border  wars  which  succeeded, 
and  continued  for  two  years  1o  harass  ihis  unhappy  region,  embrac- 
ing a  vast  numl)er  of  skirmishes  and  petty  massacres,  which  gave 
scope  to  individual  address  and  boldness,  but  produced  no  military 
movements  upon  any  extended  scale,  nor  any  general  battle.  The 
la.st  invasion  i)y  the  whites  was  conducted  l)y  (u'ueral  Sevier,  who 
Ijcnetrated  to  the  head  of  Coosa,  and  then  returned  to  'J'ennes.see. 
Two  years  afterwards  a  general  j)eact!  was  concluded  with  Presi- 
dent Wasliiugton  by  a  Cherokee  delegation,  sent  to  the  American 
capital,  at  the  head  of  which  was  the  celebrated  Doublehead. 
They  returned,  bringing  a  treaty  of  joeace,  and  accomp;uiied  by  an 
agent  of  the  American  government.  Colonel  Silas  Dinsmore,  who 
look  up  his  residence  in  the  Cherokee  country,  and  commenced 
instructing  the  Indians  in  the  use  of  the  plough,  the  spinning- 
wheel,  and  the  loom. 

The  government  of  the  Cherokee  nation  was,  at  that  time,  vested 
in  a  council,  com])o.sed  of  the  principal  chief,  the  second  principal 
chief,  and  the  leading  men  of  the  several  villages,  who  made 
treaties  and  laws,  tilled  the  vacancies  in  their  own  IkhIv,  iucrea.sed 
Its  number  at  will,  nid,  in  short,  exercised  all  the  functions  of 
sovereignty.  The  executive  and  more  active  duties  were  performed 
chielly  by  the  junior  members,  a  requisite  number  of  wlumi  were 
admitted  for  tiial  pur|)o.se.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  IJidge  was 
seh'cted,  we  are  not  told  at  w]ios(^  inst:ince,  as  a  member  of  this 
body,  from  the  town  of  which  Pine  Log  was  the  head  man.  lie 
had  no  property  but  tiie  clothes  he  wore,  a  few  sdver  ornaments, 
and  a  white  })ony,  stinted,  old,  and  ugly,  which  he  rode  to  the 
council,  'i'he  Indians  are  fond  of  .show,  and  pay  great  respect  to 
personal  appearance,  and  exterior  decoration.     On  public  occ:i'<ions 


406 


MAJOR  IIIDGE. 


they  appear  well  mounted,  and  are  ostentatious  m  the  display  of 
their  wealtli,  wliich  consists  in  horses,  weapons,  trinkets,  and  the 
trophies  of  war  and  liunting;  and  this  pride  is  the  more  na  iiral  as 
tlie  property  thus  exhibited  consists  of  tlie  spoils  won  by  '•-he 
wearer.  A  mean  appearance  is,  therefore,  in  some  degree,  an  evi- 
dence of  denu'rit;  and  when  Ridge  presented  himself  before  the 
assembh^d  iialion,  wretcliedly  mounted  and  in  meagre  attire,  he  was 
licld  in  such  contempt,  that  it  was  proposed  to  exclude  him  from 
the  council.  But  tlie  old  men  invited  him  to  a  seat  near  them, 
and  shook  him  by  the  hand,  and  the  younger  meml)crs  one  by  one 
rrluctantly  extended  to  him  the  same  sign  of  fellowship.  During 
the  first  council,  he  did  no  more  than  listen  to  the  speeches  of  the 
orators,  seldom  indicating  any  opinion  of  his  own.  The  powers  of 
the  mind  are  but  little  exercised  in  an  Indian  council,  especially  in 
a  season  of  ])eace,  wlien  there  is  nothing  to  provolce  discussion,  and 
these  assemblages  are  convened  ratlier  in  ol)edience  to  custom  than 
for  the  actual  discharge  of  business.  But  the  time  was  approach- 
ing when  the  jjublic  concerns  of  the  Cherokces  were  to  become 
more  complicated  and  important,  and  its  councils  to  assume  a 
higher  dignity  and  interest. 

It  would  be  difacult  to  point  out  with  accuracy  the  primary 
causes,  or  to  detect  the  first  germs,  of  the  partial  civilization  which 
has  been  introduced  among  tlie  Cherokces.  In  the  memoir  of 
Sequoyah  we  briefly  suggested  several  incidents  which,  as  we  sup- 
po.se,  exerted  a  combined  intluence  hi  the  production  of  this  benign 
elfect.  Referring  the  reader  to  that  paragraph,  we  shall  only 
remark  here,  that  Ridge  entered  upon  public  life  just  at  the  perit)d 
when  a  portion  of  his  nation  began  to  turn  their  attention  to  agri- 
culture, and  of  course  to  acquire  property,  and  to  need  the  protection 
of  law.  New  regulations  and  restraints  were  requisite  to  s\iil  the 
novel  exigencies  of  a  forming  state  of  society ;  while  the  less  intel- 
ligent part  of  the  ])eople  withheld  from  war,  and  not  yet  initialed 
in  the  arts  of  peace,  remained  in  a  state  of  restless  and  discontented 


BI()(iK  Al'HY. 


407 


idleness,  hut  little  in  uni.son  willi  tlie  euti'rprisinn-  spirit  of  tlieir 
I(>aders,  and  as  little  congenial  with  the  grow  tii  of  civilization.     It 
was  necessary,  therefore,  that  those  who  exec-uted  the  laws  should 
be  firm  tnd  vigorous  men;  and  among  this  class  Ridge  was  soon 
distinguish.-.;  as  one  possessing  the  energy  of  character  so  imijort- 
ant  in  a  ruler.     At  tiie  .second  council  in  whicli  he  sat,  one  of  the 
ancient  laws  of  the  Cherokecs  was  abrogated  at   his  suggestion 
According  to  inimernorial  usage,  the  life  of  a  murderer  was  at  the 
disposal  of  the  relatives  of  the  deceased,  who  might  put  him  to 
death,  or  accept  a  price  for  the  injury.     Blood  for  blood  was  the 
rule,  and  if  the  guilty  party  fled,  his  nearest  relative  might  be  sacri- 
ficed  in   his  place.     The    nation   was  divided   into    seven   tribes, 
each  preserving  a  distinct  genealogy,  traced  through  the  female  line 
of  descent:  and  these  tribes  were  held  sacredly  hound  to  administer 
this  law,  each  within  its  own  jurisdiction,  and  to  afibrd  facilities  for 
its  execution  when  the  aggressor  (led  from  one   tribe  to  another. 
And  we  may  remark  here,  as  a  curious  illustration  of  the  principle 
of  Indian  justice,  that  the  ol)ject  of  this  law  was  not  to  jninish  guilt, 
to  preserve  life,  or  to  prevent  crime;  neither  the  protection  of  the 
weaker,  nor  tlie  conservation  of  the  ])eace  of  society  was  its  object; 
It  was  the  kx  tal/o/iis  administered  simply  to  appease  individual 
passion — its   sole   purpose  was   revenge.     For   if  any  one    killed 
another  by  acci(h?nt,  liis  life  was  as  mucli  forfeited  as  if  he  com- 
mitted a  Avilful  houncide,  and  if  he  could  not  be  readi'y  foun<l,  the 
blood  of  his  imiocent  relative  might  be  shed:  the  moct  inoffensive 
and  respectable  person  might  he  sacrificed  to  atone  for  the  crime 
or  the   carelessness  of  a  vagabond   kinsman.     Ridge,  in  an   able 
speech,  exposed  the  injustice  of  that  part  of  this  law  which  substi- 
tut(>d  a  relative  for  a  fugitive  murderer,  and  succes.^fully  advocated 
its  repeal.    The  more  difficult  task  remained  of  enforcing  obedience 
lo  the  repealing  statute— a  ta.sk  whi<di  involved  the  breaking  up  of 
an  ancient  usage,  and  tin;  curbing  into  sui)jection  one  of  the  wildest 
impulses  of  the  human  bosom,  the  master  passion  of  the  savasre— 


•i08 


MAJOR   RIDGE. 


feveiigo;  and  this  was  to  be  efR'cted  in  a  commnnity  mnvly  re- 
ors^aiii/od,  still  l);irl)arniis  aiul  umisfd  to  the  meli's  and  hounds  of  a 
settled  (>ov(M-iun('nt.  IJnt  Ridun',  ]iavin<f  proposed  the  iiieiiMire, 
was  required  to  earrv  it  into  oU'ei't,  and  readily  assumed  u|)on  him- 
self that  respoiisil)ility  ;  takintf  the  precaution,  however,  to  exact 
from  every  cliief  a  promise,  tliat  lu;  would  advocat(^  the  principle 
of  the  new  law,  and  stand  prepared  to  punish  its  infrinij^ement.  It 
was  not  lonir  l)ei'ore  an  op[)ortunity  occurred  to  test  the  sincerity 
of  these  plcHiyes.  A  man  who  had  killed  another,  (led.  Tiie  rela- 
tions of  the  deci'ased  were  muui.'rous,  learless,  and  A'indictive, 
prompt  to  take  offence,  and  ea<Ter  to  imbrue  their  hands  in  blood 
upon  the  sliiihtest  provocation,  'i'hey  determined  to  resent  the 
injury  by  kiliinir  the  brother  of  \hv.  offender.  The  friends  of  the 
latter  des))atched  a  messenger  to  Kidge.  to  advise  him  of  the  in- 
tended violation  of  the  new  law,  and  implore  his  protection;  and 
he,  with  a  creditable  promptitude,  sent  word  to  the  persons  who 
proposed  to  r(;venge  themselves,  that  he  would  take  upon  himself 
the  office  ot  killing  the  individual  who  should  put  such  a  purpose 
into  execution.  This  threat  had  the  desired  elfect,  not  only  in  that 
instance,  but  in  causing  the  practice  of  sul)stituting  a  relative  in 
the  place  of  an  escaped  honucide,  to  be  abandoned. 

Abo\it  this  time  the  sidjject  of  this  memoir  was  married  to  a 
Cherokee  girl,  who  is  njpresented  as  having  been  handsome  and 
sensible — who  possessed  a  fine  person  and  an  engaging  <'ounte- 
nance,  and  sustained  through  life  an  excellent  character. 

The  Cherokees  lived  at  that  time  in  villages,  having  corn-fi(;lds 
cultivated  by  the  squaws,  and  inclosed  in  a  common  fence,  which, 
by  exrluding  the  idea  of  separate  property,  cut  off  the  strongest 
inducement  to  industry.  Their  dwellings  were  rude  cal)ins,  with 
earthen  iloors,  and  without  chimneys.  Ridge  determined,  after  his 
marriage,  to  build  a  hou.se,  and  cultivate  a  farm  ;  and  accordinglv 
he  removeil  into  the  wilderness,  and  reared  a  mansion  of  logs,  which 
had  the  luxury  of  a  tloor,  and  the  extravagant  addition  of  a  chimney 


HIOCKAl'IIY. 


40!) 


Nor  \v:is  lliis  iiU :  a  roof  was  adilcnl,  of  long  Ijoanls,  split  from 
l()j,fs,  and  confinef]  in  llieir  jilaces  by  tveitjlit  2>oks — anil  thus  was 
(■oiii])lotf(l  the  usual  log-cabin  of  the  fronlior  settlor,  an  edilice 
which  ranks  iu  architecture  next  above  the  lodge  or  wiirwani.  And 
liere  did  the  Indian  warrior  and  his  bride,  forsaking  the  habits  of 
their  race,  lietake  themselves  to  iiloughing  and  chopping,  knitting 
and  weaving,  and  other  Christian  employments,  wiiile  insensibly 
ihey  dropped  also  the  unpronounceable  heathen  names  in  which 
they  had  hitherto  rejoiced,  and  became  known  as  Miijor  Ridge  and 
tSusaiuiah.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark,  that  one  of  the  iirst 
things  which  the  Indian  learns  from  his  civilized  neighbor,  is  his 
love  of  titles;  and  finding  that  every  gentleman  of  standing  on  the 
frontier  had  one,  and  that  neither  a  commission  nor  a  njilitary  em 
ployment  is  necessarily  interred  from  the  assumption  of  a  martial 
designation,  he  usually,  on  taking  an  English  name,  jjrelixes  to  it 
the  title  of  Captain  or  Major. 

'The  residence  of  Major  Ridge  was  in  the  Ookellogee  valley, 
where  he  lived  more  than  eighteen  years,  employed  in  rural  pur- 
suits, and  gathering  about  him  herds  and  other  properly.  He 
seems  to  have  entirely  abandoned  the  saviige  life,  and  settled 
quietly  down  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  comforts  of  civilization.  His 
family  consisted  of  five  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy, 
another  was  deficient  in  mind,  and  the  other  three  were  well  edu- 
cated, llis  son  John,  after  attending  the  mission  school  at  Brainerd, 
was  sent  to  Cornwall  in  Connecticut,  where  he  spent  four  years 
under  the  instruction  of  the  Reverend  Herman  Daggett.  He 
here  lell  m  love  with  a  beautiful  and  excellent  young  lady.  Miss 
Northrop,  who  reciprocated  his  affection,  and  after  an  engugement 
of  two  years,  they  were  mari'ied — she  leaving  for  him  her  piirents, 
brothers,  .sisters,  and  friends,  and  identifying  herself  with  the 
Cherokees,  among  whom  she  has  ever  since  resided.  This  couple 
have  six  children.  The  influence  of  this  lady  has  already  been 
most  benignantly  exerted  over  the  rude  people  wi'!\  whom  her  lot 


ilO 


MAJOR   RID(ii:. 


aus  Ijoi'u  cast;  but  tlic  extent  of  lier  iiset'ulucss  will  not  Ik;  I'ully 
kiinwn  nor  uppreciiited  until  it  shall  l)e  seen  iu  the  exertions  of  her 
children,  whom  she  is  carefully  trauiiny  up  in  the  precepts  of  the 
Bible.  The  dauyliters  of  Major  Uidyo  were  also  educated.  (Jau 
of  them  married  and  died  early;  the  other  is  an  accomplished 
younii'  l'wly>  ^''  superior  mnid,  who  has  travelled  through  most  of 
the  states  of  tho  Union,  and  who  devotes  herself,  with  a  Christian 
and  patriotic  ardor,  to  the  improvement  of  her  (•ountry women.  'I'he 
whole  family  are  professors  of  religion,  and  aro  exemplary  in  their 
lives. 

'riie  interesting  domestic  avocations  in  which  Major  liidge  was 
now  i)usily  engaged,  did  not  withdraw  him  from  bis  public  duti(!s. 
He  continued  to  be  an  active  menii)er  of  the  council,  in  which  he 
gradually  rose  to  be  an  inlluential  leader,  and  be  was  the  orator 
usually  chosen  to  announce  and  explain  to  the  people  the  decrees 
of  that  body.  He  was  also  engaged  in  riding  what  was  termed  tlie 
judicial  circuit.  To  enforce  the  laws  among  a  barbarous  people 
recpiired  a  vigorous  administration,  and  this  office  was  assigned  to 
twelve  horsemen,  persons  of  courage  and  intelligence,  who  were 
the  judges,  jurors,  and  executors  of  justice.  Major  llidge  was 
placed  at  the  head  of  this  corps,  whose  duty  it  was  to  ride  througb 
the  nation,  to  take  cognizance  of  all  crimes  and  breaches  of  law, 
and  to  decide  all  controversies  between  individuals.  In  the  un- 
settled state  of  the  community,  the  want  of  forms,  and  tiie  absence 
of  precedent,  much  was  left  to  their  discretion  ;  and  after  all,  these 
decisions  were  enforced  rather  by  the  number,  energy,  and  phy- 
sical power  of  the  judges,  than  through  any  respect  paid  to  the 
law  itself 

In  addition  to  these  arduous  duties  as  a  magistrate.  Ridge  was 
active  and  usi>ful  in  bis  example  as  a  private  man.  He  encouraged 
the  opening  of  roads,  and  caused  some  to  be  made  at  his  own  ex- 
pense. He  advocated  all  |)ul)lic  improvements,  and  endeavored  to 
inculcate  a  taste  for  the  relinements  of  civilization.     He   built   a 


ni()(ii{Ai>iiY. 


411 


Iioiiso,  pliiiilcd  iin  nrcliani,  and  went,  Corwanl  in  tlio  inarcli  of  im- 
lirovciiiciit,  until  his  Carni  was  in  a  liiglier  .state  of  cultivation,  and 
his  buildings  belter,  than  those  of  any  otlier  person  in  that  region. 
tlio  whites  not  excepted. 

Abo\it  tli(!  close  of  tlie  iidniinistration  of  President  Jefferson,  the 
(piestion  as  to  emigrating  to  the  west  of  the  .Mississippi,  began  to 
be  agitated  among  the  Cherokees.     Enolee,  or  Black  Fox,  the  suc- 
cessor of  Little  'I'urkey,  was  head  cliief  of  the  nation.     He,  with 
'J"ah-lon-tus-kee,  Too-chay-lor,  tlie  Glass,  the  Turtle  at  home,  and 
otiiers,  i)egan  to  advocate  the  removal;    the  public  mind   became, 
greatly  excited,  and  those  who  possessed  oratorical  talents,  employed 
them  in  popular  harangues.     While  the  people  were  discussing 
the  subjects,  the  chi(;fs  iiad  matured  their  plan,  and  were  procee<|- 
ing  to  carry  it  into  eflect  without  the  public  consent,  which  the 
usages  of  the  nation  requinjd,  but  for  wliicli  they  intended  to  sul)- 
stitutc  a  hasty  vote  of  the  council.     Accordingly,  at  a  council  held 
at  a  post  within  the  limits  of  Tennessee,  Black  Fox,  and  a  few- 
other  leaders,  acting  in  concert  with  Colonel  R.  J.  .Meigs,  the  agent 
of  the  United  States,  brought  forward  a  project  for  sending  a  dele- 
gation to  Washington,  to  exchange  their  country  for  lands  further 
west.     The  deputies  were  already  nominated  by  the  head  chief; 
Ills  talk  to  the  President  of  the  United  .States  was  delivered  to  Tah- 
lon-tus-kee,  the  leader  of  the  deputation  ;  and  a  vote  of  the  council 
was  only  wanting  to  sanction  what  had  been  done,  and  to  authorize 
the  making  of  a  treaty  under  which  the  nation  sliould  be  removed 
to  a  far  distant  wilderness.     That  talk  was  in  substance  as  ff)llows : 
"  Tell  our  Great  Father,  the  President,  that  our  game  has  disap- 
peared, and  we  wish  to  follow  it  to  the  Avest.     We  are  his  friends, 
and  we  hope  he  will  grant  our  petition,  which  is  to  remove  our 
people  towards  the  setting  .sun.    But  we  shall  give  up  a  fine  country, 
fertile  in  soil,  abounding  in  water  counses,  and  well  adapted  for  the 
residence  of  white  people.    For  all  this  we  must  have  a  good  price." 
This  bold  and  artful  movement  had  the  desired  effect;  the  ])eople 


412 


MAJOR  itii)(;i;. 


who  had  discusiscd  tlio  subject,  w  itiioiit  rcrcrciicf  to  a  ih-risicm  so 
sudden  and  euiielusive,  weR;  not  ready  lor  the  i|ue.stiou:  they  wero 
taken  hy  .siu-prise,  and  as  it  was  not,  exjM'cled  tliai  any  ono  \\(jnld 
have  the  moral  eoiu-aire  to  rise  in  u|i[iosition  under  sneli  cireinn- 
stanees,  it  only  remained  to  take  a  vote,  uhieli  would  so  far  eomtnit 
the  nation  as  to  precluch'  any  I'nture  dejjatc.  A  dead  sih-ncu  ensued 
— the  assembly  was  apjjarently  awed,  or  cajoled  into  eonipliance, 
when  llid|a;e,  who  had  a  spirit  ecpial  to  the  oceasion,  and  who  saw 
with  indignation  that  tin;  old  men  kej)t  their  seals,  rose  iVoui  ihe 
midst  of  tlie  youn^'ci  ehiets,  and,  with  a  manner  and  tone  ovinciiiy; 
great  excitement,  addressed  tlic^  people.  "  I\Iy  friends,"  said  he, 
"you  have  heard  the  talk  of  the  principal  chief.  He  points  to  the 
renion  of  the  setting-  sun  as  the  future  habitation  of  this  peo[)le.  As 
a  man  he  has  a  ri^lit  1o  give  his  opinion  ;  but  the  ojiinion  he  has 
given  as  the  chief  of  tliis  nation  is  not  l)inding;  it  was  not  formed 
in  council,  in  the  light  of  day,  but  was  made  up  in  a  corner — to 
drag  this  people,  witliout  their  consent,  from  their  own  rnuntrv,  1o 
the  dark  land  of  the  setting  sun.  I  resist  it  here,  in  my  place,  as  a 
man,  as  a  chief,  as  a  Cherokee,  having  tlie  right  to  be  consulted  in 
a  matter  of  such  importance.  AVhat  are  your  heads  plac(;d  on  your 
bodies  for,  but  to  think,  and  if  to  think,  why  .should  you  not  be 
consulted  ?  I  scorn  this  movement  of  a  few  men  to  imsettle  the 
nation,  and  trifle  witii  our  attachment  to  the  land  of  our  forefathers  ! 
Look  abroad  over  the  face  of  this  country — along  the  rivers,  the 
creeks,  and  their  branches,  and  you  behold  the  dwellings  of  the 
l)cople  who  repose  in  content  and  security.  Why  is  this  grand 
scheme  projected,  to  load  away  to  another  country  the  jjcoplc  who 
are  happy  here  ?  I,  for  one,  abandon  my  respect  for  the  will  of  a 
chief,  and  regard  only  the  will  of  thousands  of  my  people.  Do  I 
speak  without  the  respon.se  of  any  heart  in  this  assembly,  or  do  I 
speak  as  a  free  man,  to  men  who  are  free  and  know  their  rights? 
I  pause  to  hear."  He  sat  down  in  the  midst  of  acclamations.  The 
people  declared  that  his  talk  was  good,  that  the  talk  of  the  head 


HKXillAlMI  Y. 


4i;< 


cliicf  was  l)a(l;  tlio  lattt-r  was  doposi'd  ii|)(iii  the  spot,  imd  juiotlier 
ajipoiiilcd  ill  liis  pliir(>.  'I'lio  dolciralioii  was  cliaiigcd,  w,  that  a 
iiiiij.irity  ul'  It  were  ojiposed  to  emigration,  and  Uidcrc  was  addrd  to 
the  niinilifi-. 

T\\r  a(i\aiita),re  of  trav('llin<i  tlmnijfli  tin;  rnitcd  States  was  not 
tli'own  away  upon  this  intoliijrciit  and  iil)cral-iiiindc(i  Indian,  llo 
\isit('d  tiio  capital  of  a  irroat  nation,  passiii>f  tlirou<rli  inanv  popu- 
lous towns,  and  a  <rrcat  extent  of  ciilfivatrd  coiintrv — was  intmdiieed 
to  I'resident  Jcllerson,  and  lieeanie  acipiainted  with  nianv  relined 
persons.  He  returuod  with  a  mind  eulargeil  i.y  travel,  and  with  a 
renewed  ardor  in  the  eau.so  of  eivili/alion. 

The  aiitiiority  which  we  follow,  liaviim  supplied  us  witli  few 
dates,  we  an;  not  ahlo  to  state  at  what  lime  the  ferocious  Douhle- 
head  rose  into  power  amon<r  the  C'heroki-es,  nor  is  it  very  import- 
ant. He  was  hold,  ainhitioiis,  and  po.s.sessed  of  uncommon  satiacitv 
and  talent.  lie  had  strontj;  friends,  and,  hv  nriideiitlv  amassiii"- 
such  property  as  the  condition  of  the  country  rendered  attainahle, 
was  considered  wealtliy.  \\itli  these  advantajres  he  lieeanie  u 
])rominent  man;  and  wnen  the  Cherokces  began  to  establish  .some- 
thing like  a  civil  government,  and  to  create  olhces,  he  sneceeded 
in  placing  himself  in  the  ino.st  lucrative  posts.  But  as  he  sought 
oilice  with  selli.sh  views,  he  very  naturally  ahu.sed  it,  and  made 
him.self  odious  by  his  arbitrary  conduct.  He  not  onlv  executed  the 
laws  according  to  his  own  |)leasuro,  but  i-aused  innocent  men  to 
be  j)iit  to  death,  who  thwarted  his  views.  I'liu  chiefs  and  the 
jieople  began  alike  to  fear  him,  and  a  decree  was  privately  made 
that  he  should  be  put  to  death.  Kidge  was  chosen  to  perform  the 
ollicc!  of  executioner,  which  he  boldly  discharged,  bv  uoiiig  with  a 
few  followers  to  Douhlchead's  house,  and  killing  him  in  the  midst 
of  his  family;  after  whi(di  he  addressed  the  crowd  who  were  drawn 
together  i)y  this  act  of  violence,  and  ex])lained  his  authority  and 
his  reasons.  It  is  inqiossible  for  us  to  decide  how  far  such  an  act 
may  have  been  justified  by  the  demerits  of  the   victim,  and   the 


414 


MAJOR  RIDGE. 


patriotic  motives  of  him  who  assumed  the  oflicc  of  avenger.  To 
settle  the  relative  merit.s  of  the  J3rutus  and  the  Cujsar,  is  seldom  an 
easy  task;  and  it  is  rendered  the  more  dillicult  in  this  instance,  in 
consequence  of  tlie  absence  of  all  evidence  but  that  of  the  friends 
of  the  parties.  There  seems,  howevei,  to  be  suHicient  reason  to 
liclieve,  that  Ridge  sincerely  desired  to  ])ron;ote  the  civilization  of 
his  race,  that  Doublehead,  liis  equal  in  talent  and  influence,  but  a 
savage  at  heart,  entertained  less  liberal  views,  and  that  the  removal 
of  the  latter  was  necessary  to  the  fair  operatioii  of  the  great  experi- 
ment to  wliich  Ridge  was  now  devoting  all  his  energies. 

Shortly  after  llie  return  of  Ridge  from  Washington,  a  great  ex- 
citement occm-red  among  the  Cherokees,  on  the  suliject  of  civiliza- 
tion, lleretof'.iv  the  inq)rovement  of  this  nation  had  been  gradual 
and  almost  inq)ercej)til)Ie.  A  variety  of  causes  acting  together,  led 
to  a  chain  of  natural  consequences,  which,  by  easy  degrees,  had 
produced  important  changes  in  the  habits  of  the  |)eople.  'I'iie  insi- 
laled  position  of  the  nation,  the  intermixture  of  a  hidf-brei'd  race, 
the  vicinity  of  tiie  white  settlements,  the  visits  of  the  Missionaries, 
:id  tli(^  almost  miraculous  invention  of  8i!(p)oyah,  had  all  contri- 
buted to  infu.se  the  ^■pirit  of  civilization.  But,  thougli  many  were 
converted,  the  great  majority  remained  wrapped  in  the  impenetraijle 
mantle  of  l)arl)arism,  unalfected  by  these  bc-eficenteflorts,  or  regard- 
ing tliem  with  suliim  apathy,  or  stupid  suspicion.  A  mass  of  igno- 
rance, prejudice,  and  vice,  excluded  the  rays  of  civilization,  as  the 
clouds  of  unwholesome  vapor  exhaled  from  the  cartli,  .shade  lier 
bosom  from  the  genial  warn)th  of  the  sun.  But  what,  jjrevicms  to 
the  period  at  which  we  have  arrived,  had  been  merely  doubt  or 
disinclination,  now  began  to  assume  the  form  of  opposition.  Some  of 
die  Cherokees  dreamed  dreams,  and  otliers  received  in  various  ways 
communications  from  the  Great  Si)irit,  all  tending  to  discredit  the 
scheme  of  civilization.  A  large  collection  of  these  deluded  creatures 
met  at  Oostanalee  town,  when;  they  held  a  grand  savage  f -ast.  and 
celelirated  a  great  medicine  dance,  which  was  performed  exclusiviy 


]3lO(iHAPil'!t. 


416 


b.  M-omen,  wearing  terrapin  sliclls,  HlJed  willi  pcijljlis,  on  their 
limbs,  to  rattle  in  eoucerl  with  their  wild  uncouth  son<>s.  An  old 
man  chanted  a  song  of  ancient  times.  No  conversation  was  allowed 
during  the  ceremony;  the  fierce  \  isiigo  of  the  Intuan  was  bent  in 
mute  attention  uj)on  the  exciting  scene,  and  the  congrcgaferl  mass 
of  mind  was  doubtless  p'u-vaded  by  tlie  solemnizing  conviction  that 
the  Great  Spirit  was  among  them.  At  this  o])])orl\iue  crisis,  a 
deputation  from  Coosa  Wathla  intnxhu'cd  a  hall-breed  Cliirokee, 
from  the  mountains,  who  professed  to  l)e  the  liearer  of  a  messaue 
from  heaven.  His  name  was  Charles.  He  was  received  with 
marked  respect,  and  seated  close  to  Ridge,  the  j)riniipal  ])ers()n 
present,  and  wlin,  though  lie  deplored  die  su])erslition  that  induced 
tiie  meeting,  had  thought  proper  to  attend,  and  ostensil)lv  to  join  in 
the  ceremonies.  The  .savage  missionary  did  not  kee].  liiem  liuiu  in 
suspense;  he  rose  and  announced  that  the  Great  Spirit  had  sent 
him  to  deliver  a  message  to  his  people;  he  said  he  had  already  de- 
liv(>red  it  to  some  of  the  Cherokees  in  l!ie  mountains,  but  they  dis- 
believed, and  had  lieateii  him.  But  he  would  iiol  desist;  he  would 
(leclare  the  will  of  the  Great  Sjiirit  at  all  hazards.  The  (ir(>at  Spi- 
rit said,  that  the  Cherokees  WL-re  adopting-  the  customs  of  the  whito 
people.  Tiiey  had  mills,  clothes,  feather  beds,  and  tables — woise 
still,  they   had    books  and   domestic  eats!     This  was  not   good — 


therefore  the 


)Ulil 


lo   and   other   game   were  di.sappeari 


nu- 


Th 


(ireat  S[)irit  was  angry,  and  had  witiidrawn  his  pnjtection.  Tlu 
nation  must  return  to  the  eustmns  of  their  fathers.  They  must 
kill  their  cats,  cut  short  their  froidvs,  and  dress  as  become  Indians 
and  warriors,  'i'hey  must  discard  all  the  fashions  of  the  whites, 
abandon  the  u.se  of  any  communication  with  each  other  except  bv 

Is,  their  houses,  and   all  tlu; 

He   promised,   that    il    iliey 


word  of  inoutii,  and  give  up  ti.eir  mil 

iieople. 


arts 

learned 

'Voni  tin 

w 

believed  and 

obeyed. 

tla 

man 

would  (1 

sap[)ear. 

a.K 

them 

to  paint 

0.'! 

thenisel 

ves, 

:n  would  game  again  abouiid,  the  w  hite 
1  God  would  love  his  })eople.  He  urged 
,  to  hold  feasts,  and  to  dance — to  listen  lo 


il6 


MAJOR   RIDGE. 


liis  words,  and  to  the  words  the  Great  Spirit  would  wliisper  in  (lieir 
dreams.  lie  concluded  by  saying,  if  an}-  one  says  that  he  does  not 
l)elieve,  the  Great  Spirit  will  cut  him  ell'  from  the  living. 

This  speech,  artfully  framed  to  suit  the  prejudices  of  the  Indians, 
and  to  inllarnc  the  latent  discontent  of  such  as  were  not  fully 
enlisted  in  the  work  of  reform,  caused  a  great  excitement  among 
them.  They  cried  out  that  the  talk  was  good.  Major  Ridge  per 
ceived  at  once  the  evil  cH'cct  that  would  be  produc  d  by  such 
harangues,  and,  with  his  usual  decision,  determined  not  tu  tain[ier 
viilh  ihe  popular  feeling,  l)ul  to  ()p[)OM'  and  correct  it.  lie  ro.se 
in  his  place,  and  addressing  tlie  tiiuiu.luous  as.sendihige  with  liis 
wDiiled  ciiergv,  said,  "  My  friends,  the  tiilk  you  have  heard  is  not 
good.  It  would  lead  us  to  war  with  the  United  States,  and  we 
should  sud'er.     It  is  false;  it  is  nut  a  talk  from  the  Great  Spirit. 


I    siinid 


liiM'e 


(lelv 


1' 
the   threat   that   he   who  disbelieves   tl 


llire;it   sliall   die.      Let    tl 


(U'ath   come  uj)on   me. 


1  oiler  to  test 


thi 


sctienic  (il    iniijostors 


The  j)eople,  mad   with   suj)erstilion 


rushed  upon  tlie  orator  who  dared  thus  to  brave  their  fury,  and 
rei)uke  their  folly,  and  would  j)robal)ly  have  put  him  to  death,  iiad 
he  not  dei'ended  himself      Being  an  athletic  man  he  struck  down 


1  of  tl 


severa 


ills  Iriend 


le  assailants,  but  was  ^it  last  thrown 


to  tl 


le  uronnd,  and 


Jotin 


Harris,  .stabbed  at  !iis  side.    Jes.se  Vaun  and  dther; 


ill 


rau.ed 


aroimd    hiui,  and    beating   back   the  crowd,  enab 

lU 


bun   to 


rise ;  anu  at  Icngtii  an  old 


hiL't   had  suUiricnt  mlluence  over 


th 


infuriated   savages  to  ((uell   the  tumult.      .\s  the  tc'injiest  of  pas.sion 

'I'lie 
His 


subsided,   the    fuiaticisin    which 


had 


caused    It   died   away. 


thri'atofthe  pretended  mes^' 


iiLL'er  111  hiMVcii  hud  proved  lal.s 


ill 


cliallenge 


d   been  accepti'd,  and  t 


If  (lai'Ui''  uidiviilual  w  iio  liad 


defied  him,  lived,  an  cviileiice  of  his  imposition 


T 


le  storm  of  lanaticism  jiassed  on  tn  the 


Creek  nation,  amouii 


wliom  dreams  were  (U'eamed 


and 


pro|)liel> 


;  I  rose  who 


pr 


roll 


jd  U 


urn 


have  talked  with  \\iv.  Great  Spirit.    'I'hi' daring  ami  restless  Tec 
the,  who  had  Iraver.sed   the  wilderiie.>s,  for  several   hundred  miles, 


15IOGRA1M1Y. 


417 


for  tlie  purjHisc  of  stirring  iIks  siivaoes  U>  \\;ir  against  []\v  Aiin'ricaiis, 
appeared  among  tlie  (Jrceks  at  this  juiicturc,  and  arUuil\  avaiKnl 
liiiusc'if  of  a  state  of  things  so  well  suited  to  Ids  purpose.  Jiesich's 
bringing  tidings  from  the  (.Jreul  .Spirit,  he  brought  assurances  from 
the  British  king,  and  greetings  Iroiii  the  tShauanoe  nation.  Tlic 
Creeks  rose  agiunst  their  chiefs,  broke  o\it  into  war  against  the 
United  8tates,  and  liaving  surprised  tlie  frontier  jmsl  of  Fort 
Mimrns,  massacred  the  whole  garrison,  without  di.stinetion  of  a<re 
or  sex. 

These  events  occurred  at  a  period  tlie  most  glooni\-  in  the  history 
of  our  frontier  •••ettleinents,  the  ino.st  hapless  in  the  melancholy 
record  of  the  di.stin}-  of  the  re.l  man.  The  jealousies  between  Great 
Britain  ajid  America  were  rapidly  ajiproaehiiig  to  a  crisis,  and  the 
[irospect  of  a  war  between  these  nations  opened  a  wide  lield  for 
the  turbulence  of  sava<re  passion,  antl  the  craft  of  sava<>-e  intri<Tue. 
The  extensive  frontier  of  the  United  States,  from  the  lakes  tr  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  became  agitated.  Emissaries^  [irophets,  aii''  mer- 
cenary traders  were  at  work  in  every  direction,  having  various 
interests  and  purposes,  but  alike  bent  upon  setting  all  the  elements 
of  discord  in  motion. 

General  William  Mclnto.sh,  a  half-breed  Creek,  and  one  of  their 
lierid  men  from  Coweta,  wa.?  on  a  visit  to  the  Cherokee  nation,  \.hen 
t\ii'  faithless  and  tragic  outrage  was  perpetrated  at  Fort  IMimms; 
Aui,  by  order  of  the  chiefs,  he  was  escorted  back  to  his  own  country 
'■•y  *  chosen  band  of  Cherokees,  at  the  head  of  whom  was  Ridge. 
G  '  '"..eir  arrival  at  Coweta,  they  found  the  council  of  the  Creek 
nation  assemijled.  The  head  chief,  Big  \\'arrior,  of  Tuckabachec, 
was  there,  endeavoring  to  devise  mep_sures  to  secure  his  people 
from  the  impending  danger  of  a  civil  war,  and  a  war  with  the 
United  States.  The  chiefs  were  in  <;ivor  of  a  pacific  policy,  but 
they  were  overruled  by  a  large  maiority,  who,  under  the  malign 
influence  of  the  prophets,  breathed  only  vengeance  again.st  the 
•vhites,  and  uncomproinisiiig  hostility  against  every  measure  and 


418 


MAJOR   UIJKii:. 


t'viTv  advocnto  of  Christiauit}-  or  rivilizatioii.  The  Biy  Wan-io.-, 
Iiaviiig  drawn  a  band  of  faitliiul  iVieiids  uLiout  liiiu  I'or  liis  ])rc'seiit 
[irotection,  ui)plicd  to  the  United  States  authorities  for  assistance  to 
[lut  down  this  rebellion;  and  sent  to  the  Cherokee  nation  a  talk, 
together  with  a  piece  of  tobacco,  tied  with  a  string  of  various  colored 
beads,  to  be  smoked  in  their  council.  Uidge  was  tlie  bearer  of  tlie 
tobacco  and  the  talk  of  tiie  Creek  chief,  and  in  liis  name  demanded 
aid  to  put  down  i  '.'"'  Sf/'cLs,  as  the  insurgent  parly  were  called; 
and,  in  an  animate.,,  h,  he  urged  tin.'  object  of  his  mission  before 

the  council  at  Oostan;..  l-.  He  maintained  tliat  tin-  hoslih'  [loriKui 
ci  tin'  Creeks,  in  making  war  against  tiieuliiles,  had  phieed  the, 
(herokecs  in  a  condition  which  obliged  them  to  take  one  side  or 
tlie  other.  That  in  the  unsettled  state  of  the  country,  no  distinction 
would  be  known  i)ut  that  of  Indians  and  white  men,  and  a  hostile 
movement  iiy  any  tribe  wduM  involve  the  wlioK'  in  a  war.  lie  in- 
sisted, further,  that  if  the  Creeks  were  permitted  to  put  down  tlieir 
chiefs,  and  b"  ndi'd  by  the  prophets,  the  work  of  civilization  would 
be  subverted,  and  the  Ked  Sticks,  in  their  ellbrts  to  re-estabhsb  a 
state  of  barbarism,  would  destroy  all  the  southi'rn  tribes.  'I'he 
council  listened  with  attention,  and  having  considered  the  argu- 
ments of  Kidge,  declared  that  they  would  not  iuterlere  in  the  alfairs 
ol  their  neighi,)ors,  but  would  look  on,  and  be  at  peace.  ■''I'lien,'' 
said  Jtidge,  "1  will  act  with  volunteers.  I  call  ujion  my  friends 
to  join  me."  A  number  ol'  brave  men,  the  most  consjiicuous  per- 
sons in  the  nation,  came  forward;  the  people  imbiijcd  the  spirit, 
until  at  last  the  chiefs  were  constrained  to  reverse  tlieir  recent 
decision  in  council,  ami  declare  war. 

The  government  of  the  I'nited  States  had,  bv  this  time,  taken 
steps  to  puni.sh  the  massacre  at  Fort  iMimms,  and  to  proleel  tlie 
border  settlements.  General  White,  of  Tennessee,  with  a  Lody  of 
the  militia  of  th;it  state,  accom])anied  by  .Major  llidge,  and  a  niim- 
i)er  of  Cherokee  warriors,  marched  into  the  Creek  nation,  and 
returned  w  ith  nuiny  prisoners. 


BIOGRAPHY. 


411) 


Oil  his  arrival  at  home,  Major  llidgo  st'iit  runners  through  the 
nation  to  collect  voluuleers  lor  another  expedition,  and,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  other  chiefs,  raised  eight  hundred  warriors,  whom 
he  led  to  the  head-quarters  of  General  Jackson,  at  tiie  Ten  Islands, 
in  Alabama.  Under  this  commander,  destined  to  become  eminently' 
successful  in  his  military  exploits,  the  army  moved  towards  the 
position  of  the  Creeks,  who  occupied  a  fortified  camp,  in  a  bend  of 
the  Talapoosa  river,  which,  from  its  shape,  was  called  the  Horse- 
shoe. 'I'liis  little  peninsula  was  connected  with  the  main  land  by 
a  narrow  istlimus,  across  which  the  Creeks  had  thrown  u  strong 
breastwork  of  logs,  pierced  with  loop-holes,  while  the  remainder  of 
tiie  circumference  was  surrounded  and  protected  by  the  dee])  river. 
Within  the  area  were  a  town  and  camji,  in  the  midst  of  which  was 
a  high  post  painted  red,  and  at  the  top  of  this  were  suspended  the 
.^calps  of  the  white  jieople  who  had  been  slain  in  the  war.  'I'lie 
Creek  warriors,  naked,  and  painted  red,  danced  round  tliis  pole, 
and  assembled  about  it,  to  narrate  their  exploits  in  battle,  for  the 
jjiirpo.sc  of  e.xciting  in  each  other  the  ])rinciple  of  emulation,  and 
the  desire  of  vengeance.  General  Jack.son,  with  his  usual  energy 
of  purpose,  resolved  to  attack  the  enemy  without  delay.  The  main 
body  of  his  army  advanced  upon  the  breastwork,  while  General 
Coflee,  with  a  detachment  of  the  militia,  and  the  Cherokee  allies, 
forded  the  Talapoosa  below,  and  surrounded  the  bend  of  the  river. 
It  was  not  intended  that  this  division  should  cross  into  the  camj), 
nor  were  they  provided  with  Iwats;  but  the  Cherokees,  becoming 
anxious  to  join  in  the  assault,  two  of  them  swam  over  the  rivvr, 
and  returned  with  two  canoes.  A  third  canoe  was  secured  by  the 
activity  of  a  Cherokee,  who  brought  it  from  the  middle  of  the  river, 
alter  the  Creeks  who  occupied  it,  had  been  shot  by  the  Tennessee 
riflemen.  Major  Ridge  was  the  first  to  embark  ;  and  in  these  three 
boats  tlie  Cherokees  crossed,  a  few  at  a  time,  until  the  whole  body 
had  ])enetrated  to  the  enemy'.s  camp.  A  spirited  attack  was  made 
upon  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  by  which  their  attention  was  diverted 


421) 


MAJOU    RIDGK. 


from  tht;  Itrciisiwork,  and  material  aid  'nven  to  a  dariiiu-  cliapfc  then 
making  upon  it  by  tiic  regulars  and  militia,  'i'lie  breastwork  was 
carried  ;  the  troops  ])oiired  into  the  camp,  the  Indians  pressed  upon 
its  rear,  and  the  Creeks  sought  shelter  behind  numerous  logs  and 
liinl)s  of  forest  trees,  which  had  been  strewed  about  to  impede  the 
advance  of  the  assailants,  and  afford  protection  to  tliemsclves  in  tlie 
last  resort.  Here  they  fought  with  desperation,  'i'hinned  by  the 
sharp  shooters,  and  hemmed  in  on  all  sides,  they  scorned  to  ask  for 
quarter — or,  perhaps,  unaccustomed  to  tlrat  courtesy  of  civilized 
warfare  which  allows  the  vanquished  to  claim  his  life,  they  knew 
not  how  to  make  the  demand.  They  continued  to  fight,  and  shout 
the  war-whoop,  sellii\g  their  Ijlood  dearly  to  the  last  drop.  Driven 
at  last  from  their  lurking-places,  they  plunged  into  the  thicket  of 
reeds  that  margined  the  river,  but  the  sword  and  the  tomahawk 
found  them  here,  and  their  last  dismal  refuge  was  in  the  deep  cin-- 
rent  of  the  Talapoosa.  Here,  too,  the  rifle  ball  overtook  them,  ;iii(l 
the  vindictive  Cherokees  rushed  into  the  water  in  the  fury  of  I  he 
pUiSuit.   Few  escaped  to  report  the  tragic  story  of  that  eventful  il;p.. 

Ridge  was  a  disting'i-'shed  actor  in  this  bloody  drama;  and  we 
are  told  that  he  was  the  first  to  leap  into  the  river  in  pursuit  ol"  tlie 
fugitives.  Six  Creek  warriors,  some  of  whom  had  been  previously 
wounded,  fell  by  his  hand.  As  he  attempted  to  plunge  his  sword 
in  one  of  these,  the  Creek  closed  with  him,  and  a  severe  contest 
ensued.  Two  of  the  most  athletic  of  their  race  were  strufrnlinn  in 
the  water  for  life  or  death,  each  endeavoring  to  drown  the  other. 
Ilidge,  forgetting  his  own  knife,  seized  one  which  his  antagonist 
wore,  and  stabbed  him  ;  but  the  wound  was  not  fatal,  and  the  Creek 
still  fought  with  an  equal  chance  of  success,  when  he  w.'is  slab'  d 
with  a  spear  by  one  of  Ridge's  friends,  and  thus  fell  a  hero  who 
deserved  a  nol)ler  fate. 

Thus  ended  the  massacre  of  the  Horseshoe,  the  recital  of  w  Inch 
we  have  made  as  brief  as  was  consistent  with  fidelity  to  our  task. 
We  take  no  pleasure  in  recording  these  deeds  of  extermination ; 


lU()(iKAlMIV. 


421 


but  they  form  a  portion  of  Iiislory,  iiiid,  imliMppily,  tlie  story  ot 
bonier  warliirc  is  alwiiys  the  .saiiie;  for  it  is  iiluays  war  imbittcred 
by  party  i\'[u\,  personal  injury,  and  individual  hatred— a  national 
quarrel  ajri^n-avated  by  private  <rriefs,  and  inflamed  by  bad  passions. 

After  the  Creek  Mar  Major  Ridge  visited  Washington  as  a  dele- 
gate from  liis  nation,  to  President  Madison,  to  adjust  the  nortliern 
boundary  of  their  country;  and  be  again  represented  lii.s  people  on 
a  similar  mission  during  tlie  administration  of  Mr.  Monroe  lie 
had  now  become  a  prominent  man,  and  when  Alexander  Saunders, 
an  inllueiilial  Cherokee,  and  the  persoual  iVieiul  of  Uidge,  proposed 
to  divi(k'  the  nalion,  and  organize  a  new  council,  it  was  chiefly 
tlu-ough  his  exertions  tiiat  the  scheme  was  defeated. 

After  the  death  of  diaries  R.  Hicks,  the  Cherokees  were  governed 
by  John  Ross,  who,  Ijeing  a  jierson  of  some  education,  led  them  to 
adopt  a  constitulion  and  laws,  in  imitation  of  those  of  the  United 
Stales.  We  pass  over  tlie  controvin-.sy  that  ensued  between  (he 
Cherokees  and  the  State  of  Georgia,  and  iietween  the  latter  and  the. 
United  States,  with  the  single  remark,  lluit  Georgia  objected  to  the 
organization  of  a  government,  by  Indians,  witiiin  her  limits;  and 
insisted  that  the  American  udvernment  should  extinguish  the  title 
of  the  Cherokees,  and  remove  them  to  other  lands.  Major  Ridge 
had  iieen  among  those  wlio  were  oppo.sed  to  the  emigration  of  his 
peojile ;  iie  Jiad  favored  the  plan  of  estaiilishing  a  regular  govern- 
ment, and  the  introduction  of  education  and  Christianitv,  and  had 
believed  that  these  improvements  could  bo  more  successlulh  culti- 
vated l)y  remainiiiL;  in  their  own  couiitrv,  than  in  a  region  of  wilder- 
ness, where  all  the  temptations  to  a  relapse  into  savage  habits  would 
be  presented.  But  when,  alter  a  iiitter  and  fruitless  contest,  it  was 
found  that  Georgia  adhered  inflexibly  to  her  determination,  and  the 
government  of  the  United  States  would  not  interfere,  he  saw  that 
sooner  or  later  the  weaker  party  must  sulmiit  or  be  crushed,  and  he 
now  u.-ed  his  influence  to  induce  the  Indians  to  remove  to  the  new 
home  pointed  oat  to  them.    His  views  were  supported  by  the  mem- 


422 


MAJOR   UIDCii:. 


bers  of  a  delegation  that  visited  Wasliiiigloii  in  1832,  and  who,  after 
appealing  to  the  government,  and  conversing  with  many  eminent 
public  men,  and  intelligent  citizens,  whose  sympathies  were  strongly 
enlisted  in  their  cause,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  best 
to  do  at  once  that  to  which  tliey  would  be  finally  compelled.  John 
lloss  with  a  majority  of  the  Cherokees,  maintained  a  different 
policy,  and  an  unhappy  spirit  of  parly  was  engendered  b}-  this  diver- 
sity of  o])iiiion.  Miijor  Ridge  was  accused  of  entcrtuining  opinions 
hos.  'e  to  the  interest  and  happiness  of  the  people — was  regularly 
impeacluHl,  and  cited  to  appear  l)efore  a  council  to  be  lield  in  the 
autumn  of  1833,  to  answer  a  charge  of  treason  But  when  the  time 
arrived,  liis  accusers  endeavored  to  [)ul  olf  the  trial;  betraying  evi- 
dently their  own  convictions  of  his  innocence,  and  their  willingness 
to  hold  over  him  an  accusation,  which,  while  neither  established  nor 
refuted,  might  neutralize  his  influence.  This  attempt,  however, 
failed,  and  the  charge  was  dismissed. 

I\Iajor  Kidge  is  one  of  the  very  few  individuals  who,  after  being 
reared  in  the  habits  of  the  savage,  have  embraced  the  employments 
and  comforts  of  civilized  life.  In  youth  we  have  seen  him  pursu- 
ing the  chase  for  a  livelihood,  and  seeldng  the  war-|iath  with  all 
the  Indian  avidity  for  bloodshed  and  plunder.  Gradually  with- 
drawing from  these  occupations,  he  became  a  cultivator  of  tiic  soil, 
a  legislator,  and  a  civil  magistrate  ;  exliibiting  in  each  capacity  a 
discretion  nnd  dignity  of  character  worthy  of  a  better  education. 
His  house  resembled  in  no  respect  the  wigwam  of  the  Indian — it 
was  the  home  of  the  patriarch,  the  scene  of  plenty  and  liospitality. 

He  showed  the  sincerity  of  his  own  conversion  from  barbarism, 
by  giving  to  his  children  tlie  advantages  of  education,  and  rearing 
them  in  habits  of  morality  and  temperance.  All  of  them  have  pro- 
fessed the  Christian  relitiion,  and  sustained  fair  reputations  ;  while 
Major  Kidge,  surrounded  by  his  descendants,  enjoys,  in  his  old  age, 
the  respect  and  confidence  earned  by  a  long  life  of  active  industry 
and  ei  <M-getic  public  service. 


I 
i 


JOHN  lUJJGE. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  son  of  Mbjor  Ridge,  a  distin- 
guished Cherokee  chief.  That  individual  was  a  remarkable  instance 
of  one  born  and  brought  up  in  savage  life,  accustomed  to  war  and 
luuiting,  and  to  the  habits  and  modes  of  thought  of  the  Indian 
warrior,  yet  aliandoning  those  habits,  and  by  deliberate  choice, 
adopting  the  customs  of  civilized  men,  and  persevering  in  them  un- 
changeably through  life.  There  have,  doubtless,  been  other  in- 
stances, but  we  know  of  none  in  which  the  change  was  so  thorouirli 
and  the  result  so  successful.  Commencing  life  as  a  mere  savage, 
with  no  knowledge  but  that  of  the  hunter,  he  adopted  with  energy 
the  forms  of  civilization,  became  a  successful  farmer,  and  a  public- 
spirited  citizen,  and  reared  his  family  in  the  observance  of  the  social 
duties  and  virtues  of  civilized  life.  His  wife  zealously  seconded 
his  views,  and  though  bred  in  a  wigwam,  learned,  after  her  mar- 
riage, the  domestic  arts  appertaining  to  good  housewifery,  and  be- 
came as  skilful  in  housekeeping  aud  agriculture,  as  she  was  indus- 
trious and  persevering. 

John  Ridge  was  second  of  the  five  children  of  this  sensible  and 
worthy  couple.  The  pains  and  expense  bestowed  upon  his  educa- 
tion show  how  thoroughly  his  parents  were  imbued  with  the  prin- 
ciples of  civilization,  and  how  high  an  estimate  they  placed  upon 
the  possession  of  knowledge.  He  was  put  to  school  to  the  Rev 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gambold,  Moravian  Missionaries  at  Spring  Place, 
who  taught  him  the  alphabet,  spelling,  reading,  English  grammat, 
and  some   arithmetic.     He    was   first  sent  to  Brainerd,   a   Mi.'» 

•      51  (423) 


■i2i 


BI()(;|{.\  I'HV, 


sioiiiiry  slatioii,  ostablisluHl  by  llio  American  Board  of  Coriimis- 
sioucrs  for  Foreign  Missions ;  then  to  a  school  at  Kuoxville,  Ten- 
nessee ;  and  afterwards  to  tlie  Foreign  Mission  School  at  Cornwall 
in  Connecticut,  where  ho  s])ent  four  years  under  the  al)le  in.struction 
of  tlie  Rev.  Herman  Daggett.  These  opportunities  seem  to  iinvu 
been  well  improved,  and  Ividgo  actpiired  the  essential  ))art.-;  of  a 
good  education;  his  attainments  in  literature  were  respectable,  and, 
what  was  of  more  importance,  his  morals  were  correct  and  firmly 
estal)lished,  his  habits  good,  and  liis  disj)osition  mild  and  amiai)le. 

\\hile  a  student  in  fJonneclicut,  he  fell  in  love  witii  a  beantifnl 
and  e.Ycellent  young  lady,  Miss  Northrop,  who  reciprocated  his 
adeclion,  and  after  an  engngenient  of  two  years,  they  were  married. 
It  must  have  required  great  strength  of  affection  in  this  young  ladv, 
to  enable  her  to  overcome  the  aversion  which  is  usually  entertained 
against  alliances  with  a  race  so  dilferent  from  ourselves,  in  many 
important  particulars,  as  well  as  to  nerve  her  for  a  lile  in  which 
she  could  foresee  little  else  than  trouble.  A  contest  had  already 
conunenced  between  tin;  United  States  and  the  Chcrokees,  which 
promised  to  !)e  fruitful  in  discord,  and  which  could  only  end  in  the 
discomfiture  of  the  latter — and  then  a  new  home,  new  nei'ddjors, 
fresh  troubles,  and  xudcnown  difiiculties  awaited  them  in  the  wilder- 
ness, ill  this,  however,  .she  was  willing  to  brave.  She  loved  the 
vouns;  Indian,  who,  abandoning  the  bow  and  tlie  tomahawk,  had 
.successfully  cultivated  the  arts  of  peace,  and  the  literature  of  the 
white  man,  and  had  exhibited  a  mildness  and  benevolence  of  charac- 
ter, peculiarly  interesting  in  the  descendant  of  a  wild  and  ferocious 
race.  She  po.sse.ssed,  too,  a  missionary  spirit,  a  deeply  seated  and 
fervent  piety,  which  impressed  her  with  the  belief  that  it  was  her 
duty  to  embrace  the  opportmiity  offered  her,  of  becoming  a  mes- 
senger of  peace  to  the  savage  ;  and  she  followed  her  Indian  husband 
to  tlie  western  forests,  full  of  enthusiastic  hope,  pious  aspirations, 
anu  plans  for  the  civilization  and  conversion  of  the  heathen. 

We  are  happy  to  say  that  the  nolile  courage  of  this  truly  e.vcel- 


JOHN    RIIXiE, 


42") 


lent  liuly  was  nnt  oxliibitcd  in  vain,  nor  were  her  hopes  of  usefnl- 
neiss  disappointed.  It  is  true  that  tlio  plan  of  a  separate  government 
formed  by  some  leading  men  of  the  Uherokees  failed,  and  with  it 
were  crushed  some  benevolent  schemes  and  some  infant  instituliuris 
which  promised  well ;  for  they  carried  with  them  the  elements  of 
premature  decay,  in  the  erroneous  politicid  views  with  which  flicv 
were  connected.  But  the  pious  laljors  of  the  devoted  woman  l)ud 
and  blossom  like  the  violet,  untouched  by  the  storm  that  rages  in 
the  political  atmosphere.  Her  a.ssiduity  was  ui,al)ated  through  all 
the  vicissitudes  which  attended  the  Cherokee.^  and  there  is  reason 
to  Ijelieve  that  her  example  and  her  counsels  were  eminently  useful 
to  her  adopted  countrymen.  And  the  full  extent  of  her  influence 
is  yet  to  be  developed  and  exjjanded,  by  the  character  of  her  chil- 
dren, who  arc  numerous,  and  are  receiving  the  best  education  the 
United  States  can  afford. 

John  Ridge  was  a  conspicuous  man  among  the  Cherokecs.     He 
returned  from  college  and  commenced  his  active  career  as  a  public 
man,  at  the  period  when  his  people  were  attempting  to  erect  them- 
selves into  an  independent  nation— when  the  invention  of  the  alpha- 
bet by  George  Guess  gave  them  a  written  language— and  when  the 
establishment  of  schools,  missions,  and  a  newspaper,  afforded  them 
the  facilities  for  instruction.    Ridge  was  fitted  for  the  crisis  in  which 
he  was  an  actor.     He  hud  youth,  education,  talents,  piety,  cntliii- 
siasm,  and  was  the  son  of  a  race  out  of  winch  it  was  proposed  to 
rear  a  new  nation.     He  was  the  son  of  a  distinguished  and  popular 
chief,  and  had  all  the  advantage  of  family  mnuence.    His  foult  and 
thatof  tho.'^e  with  whom  he  acted,  was  in  cherishing  a  zeal  without 
knowledge- a  zeal  which,  confiding  in  pure  intention.s,  and  in  tlie 
goodness  of  the  end  in  viev.-,  overlooked  the  impracticability  of  tlie 
scheme  by  which  it  was  attempted  to  accomplish  the  object.    Ridge 
was  an  active  man  in  all  these  scenes.     He  accompanied  several  of 
the  delegations  to  Washington,  and,  though  not  a  chief,  was  usually 
an  interpreter,  a  secretary,  or  an  agent,  and  exerted  great  inlluencu 


426 


HIO(iKAPIIY. 


in  tlie  negotiations.  He  was  a  writer  for  the  Cherokee  newspaper, 
and  a  civil  functionary  under  the  Cherokee  government  during  its 
brief  existence. 

Wo  know  little  of  the  life  of  John  Ridge,  after  the  rernov.al  of  his 
people  to  their  lands  west  of  the  Mississippi.  He  continued  to  be 
a  conspicuous  man  until  a  few  years  ago,  when,  in  consequence 
of  a  violent  quarrel,  growing  out  of  political  differences,  he  was 
cruelly  and  basely  murdered  by  a  party  of  the  opposing  faction  of 
his  own  countrymen.  We  forbear  a  detail  of  the  circumstances  of 
this  outrage,  and  any  comment,  ))ecauso  wo  are  aware,  that  distant 
as  we  are  from  the  scene,  and  limited  as  our  knowledge  of  the 
]):irties  and  the  facts  must  necessarily  be,  we  could  scarcely  touch 
on  such  an  event  without  the  risk  of  injustice  to  some  of  the  actors 
or  sufferers. 


POWASIIEEK. 

Tin;  word  Powasheek,  iii  tlio  MiiNqmikee  laiifruage,  .sigiiifies 
"  To  dash  the  water  oj/'."  The  individual  wlio  liuars  this  name  is  a 
relclji-alcd  lirave  of  tlio  Mus(|iiakeo  or  Fux  nation,  and  i.s  niinihercd 
among  their  chiefs  or  leading  men.  A  few  years  ago  he  was  better 
known  to  the  whiles  than  any  other  person  of  ids  nation,  and  was 
probably  at  that  time  the  most  inlluential  man  among  them.  The 
superior  talents  of  Keokuk  iiave,  however,  tinown  intn  the  shade  all 
the  leaders  who  once  stood  high  in  the  combined  Saukie  and  Mus- 
quakee  nation,  and  Waj)ella,  the  Fo.x  leader,  being  a  chief  of  great 
address,  and  a  friend  of  Keokuk,  Powasheek  has  been  little  heard 
of,  (luring  late  years,  in  public  life.  lie  was  a  daring  warrior,  and 
held  a  respectable  standing  in  council,  as  a  man  of  prudence  and 
capacity.  The  likeness  is  a  good  one,  and  gives  a  correct  idea  of 
his  character. 

Powasheek  is  one  of  those  men  who,  though  highly  respected, 
.111(1  holding  a  rank  among  the  first  men  of  tiicir  nation,  are  not  distin- 
guished by  brilliant  talents.  Nothing  very  striking  in  las  .history 
has  reached  us. 


(127) 


ESHTAhUMLEAH. 

We  have  but  little  to  say  of  this  individual,  vi'hose  name,  when 
translated,  signifies  Sleepy  eyes,  and  is  expressive  of  'iliu  cliaractcr 
of  liis  countenance.  He  is  one  of  the  hereditary  chiefs  of  the  Teton 
tribe,  of  the  Dacotah  nation.  In  person,  he  is  large,  and  well  jiro- 
poriioncd;  and  has  rather  a  dignified  appearance.  He  is  a  good- 
naturijd,  plausible  person,  but  has  never  been  distinguished  either 
in  war  or  as  a  hunter. 

The  word  Teton  means  boaster,  and  has  been  i^iven  to  this  trilie 
in  consequence  of  the  habit  of  bragging,  wlvch  is  said  to  prevail 
among  them.  They  dwell  in  skin  lodges,  which  are  easily  removed, 
and  arc  constantly  roving  over  the  vast  plains  between  the  St.  Peter 
and  the  Missouri.  They  trade  on  both  rivers,  and  are  very  hostile 
to  white  men,  whom  they  insult  and  rob,  when  they  find  them  on 
the  prairies,  where  such  acts  may  be  safely  perpetrated.  But  all 
the  tribes  who  live  in  contact  with  our  frontier,  have  become  so 
conscious  of  the  power  of  the  American  government,  as  to  be  cau- 
tious in  tl  eir  depredations  upon  our  citizens  ;  and  acts  of  violence 
are  growing  every  day  less  numerous  upon  our  borders.  The 
Tetons  are  fierce,  rapacious,  and  untameable ;  but  are  not  considered 
braver  than  the  other  Sioux  tribes. 


(428) 


1^ 


YAH  A  II A  JO, 


A  SEMINOLE  WAR-CHIEF. 


On  the  29th  of  March,  1836,  as  the  main  body  of  the  American 
ti'onp.s  ill  Florida  was  about  to  encamp  on  the  banks  of  Hie  Ockle- 
wahali.  two  fires  ^v•ere  discovered,  newly  lijrlited,  on  the  opjiosite 
sid.    of  one  of  those  lakes  which  abound  in  this  country.     Sup- 
posing them    to  be   signal-fires,  lighted    by  tiie  Indians   to  com- 
municate intelligence  from  one  {)arty  to  another.  Colonel  Butler's 
command  was  detached  in  search  of  the  enemy.     The  troops  had 
proceeded  tiiree  or  four  miles,  when  four  Indians  were  discovered 
and  pursued  by  the  advanced  guard.     CJeneral  Joseph  Slielton,  of 
South  Carolina,  a  gallant  gentleman,  who  accompanied  the  army 
as  one  of  a  l)and  of  volunteers  from  tluH  patriotic  stut.\  dashed  for- 
ward and   charged  upon  one  of  the  Indians,  who,  finding  he  could 
not  elude  the  attack,  halted  and  faced  his  opponent.     When  but  a 
few  steps  apart,  both  parties  levelle.l  their  guns  at  each  other;  the 
General  fired  first,  wounded  bis  adversary  in  the  u.    k,  and,  drop- 
ping the  gun,  drew  a  pislol.     Advancing  on  the  Tn-lian,  he  placed 
the  pistol  at  his  breast,  and  fhc^^■  the  trigger,  but  tue  weapon  missed 
fire.     The  Indian  brought  Jiis  rille  to  bis  shoulder  and  shot  the 
Cxeneral  in  the  liip ;  at  tlie  same  moment  the  brave  savage  received 
a  fatal  wound  from  another  hand,  fell  on  bis  knees,  attempte.l  to 
load  his  rifle  in  that  po.sition,  and  died,  resisting  to  the  last  gasp. 


430 


BIOGRAPHY. 


with  tlie  obstinacy  wliicli  always  niiirks  tlic  (loath  of  the  Indian 
warrior. 

Near  the  scene  of  this  rencontre  were  several  lodsjes,  formin"  a 
temporary  lu.mlet,  whose  inmates  had  been  hastily  scattered  by  the 
approach  of  the  troops.  Here,  among  the  few  articles  abandoned 
1)y  the  inhabitants  in  their  flight,  were  foumi  forty  or  fifty  human 
scalps,  the  i!ad  memorials  of  the  vindictiveness  of  savage  warfare. 
They  were  attached  to  small  pine  sticks,  in  the  form  of  flags,  so 
ds  to  be  used  at  the  dances  and  feasts  of  the  warriors,  wlum  these 
lro])hies  are  exultingly  displayed.  The  locks  of  liair  attached  to 
some  of  them  were  long  and  fine,  and  were  evidently  those  of  women, 
perhaps  of  young  and  beautiful  women,  who  had  fallen  under  the 
edge  of  the  tomahawk;  some  were  the  scalps  of  children  and  gray- 
haired  men;  and  all  were  preserved  with  e(iual  care,  as  if  the 
warrior  I'ogarded  with  the  same  pride  the  slaughter  of  the  helpless 
and  the  defeat  of  an  able  adversary. 

The  warrior  who  was  slain  in  the  manner  ju.st  described,  was 
Yaha  Hajo,  or  the  Mad  Wolf,  a  Creek  chief,  who  visited  Washing- 
ton City  in  1826  as  one  of  the  delegates  from  that  nation,  but  after- 
wards emigrated  to  Tlorida,  where  he  held  the  same  rank.  Ilis 
name  is  not  expressive  of  his  character,  which  was  comparatively 
mild  and  benevolent.  He  was  especially  noted  as  a  successful 
hunter,  and  was  considered  one  of  the  best  in  Florida.  For  this 
exercise  he  seemed  admirably  fitted  liy  his  finely  moulded  form, 
whicli  evinced  both  strength  and  agility,  and  exhibited  a  fine  spe- 
cimen of  savage  beauty,  lie  was  erect  and  slender.  His  chest  was 
broad  and  high,  his  limbs  round,  !•■:.'.  eligantly  turned,  and  his 
muscles  greatly  developed  by  constant  exercise.  The  hands  of  the 
Indians,  never  being  employed  in  labor,  are  usually  small,  bearing 
that  evidence  of  gentility  which  Sir  Walter  Scott  lays  down  as  an 
indubitable  sitm  of  aristocratic  birth.  Tho.se  of  Yaha  Ilajo  were 
remarkably  small  and  delicately  formed  ;  while  his  feet  had  the 
liollow  sole  and  high  instep  common  to  his  race,  and  might  have 


YAHA    II A  JO. 


4.31 


served  as  models  for  tlie  sculptor,  except  that  they  were  too  small 
for  just  proportion.  His  nose  was  Roman,  and  all  his  fcalurcs  nn(; 
and  prominent. 

The  Mad  Wolf  was  the  second  principal  war-chief  of  (he  Seini- 
noles,  and  was  one  of  the  deputation  of  seven  chiefs  appointed  to 
examine  the  country  west  of  the  .Mississippi,  assijrned  to  t'le  Florida 
Indians  l)y  the  treaty  of  Payne's  Landing,  and  who  reported  favor- 
ably;  and  also  one  of  the  sixteen  who  signed  the  treaty  at  Fort 
Gibson,  ratifying  that  of  Payne's  Landing.  Jhit  although  thus  far 
committed  on  the  subject,  ant!  favorably  dispo.sed  towards  emigra- 
tion, he  united  with  the  majority  of  the  people  in  their  opposition 
to  it,  and  became  an  active  leader  in  the  war.  The  truth  is,  that 
the  measures  adopted  to  bring  about  this  result,  were  neither  con- 
ciliatory nor  efficient ;  the  wishes  and  interests  of  the  Indians,  in 
several  particulars,  were  not  consulted  as  they  should  have  been, 
nor  were  the  means  for  effecting  the  removal  forcibly,  either  ade- 
quate or  promptly  apr-lied. 

We  find  in  Mr.  Cohen's  book  a  report  of  a  phrenological  exami- 
nation of  the  head  of  this  chief,  which  wc  shaH  i-npy,  because  it 
will  be  interesting  to  those  who  have  conlidenct  ,,.  plirenology,  not 
because  wc  have  any  faith  in  it  ourselves. 

"Exceedingly  circumspect  in  all  his  actions,  he  must  lum  been 
remarkable  for  j)erscvering  in  every  undertaking  on  which  he  h  d 
determined,  how  cruel  soever  the  means.  His  cninung  and  courage 
ably  fitted  him  for  the  station  he  is  supposed  to  have  held  anionij 
his  countrymen ;  accpiisitiveness,  although  very  large,  would  not, 
from  its  relative  size,  have  formeil  a  prominent  feature  in  his  cha- 
racter. His  eloquence  must  have  been  of  the  persuasive  kind, 
and  his  images  not  w.mting  in  boldness — his  attachments  mu.si 
ha VI!  been  iirm.  The  recollection  of  events  and  j)laces  is  strongly 
marked  on  his  skull,  but  the  rellective  organs  are  suiall.  Grave  in 
his  demeanor,  moderate  mirlhfulness,  large  love  of  aj)[)robution." 


432  BIOGRAPHY. 

Phrenological  Examination  of  the  Skull  of  Yaha  Ilnjo. 


WAKAUN  HAKA. 

Tins  individual  is  of  mixed  blood  ;  liis  fatiier  was  a  Fronclinmn, 
and  his  mother  a  woman  of  tlie  Winnebago  nation.  He  is  one  of 
the  finest  looking  men  among  that  people,  and  has  for  many  years 
been  one  of  tlieir  princii)al  speakers  on  all  [)ublic  occasions.  The 
qualifications  for  this  office  are  not  very  e.vlonsive,  and  in  general 
comprise  little  else  than  fluency,  a  graceful  manner,  and  a  familiar 
acquaintance  with  the  current  transactions  of  the  day.  Wakauu 
Ilaka,  or  the  Snake-Skin,  possesses  these  qualities  in  a  liigh  degree ; 
his  stature  is  about  si.x  feet  three  inches,  his  person  erect  and  com- 
manding, and  liis  delivery  easy.  He  is  between  fifty  and  si.vty 
years  of  age,  and  is  one  of  the  war-chiefs  of  the  Winnebagoes. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  Snake-Ski/i,  he  was  a  successful  hunter, 
a  M-arrior  of  fair  standing,  and  a  person  of  decided  infiuenc(>  among 
his  people.  But  tlie  sin  that  most  easily  Ijcsets  the  Indian  has 
destroyed  his  usefulne.ss;  habits  of  dis.sipation,  with  the  j)remature 
decrepitude  incident  to  the  savage  life,  have  made  him  an  old  man, 
at  the  age  at  which  the  statesmen  of  civilized  nations  are  in  the 
enjoyment  of  the  highest  degree  of  intellectual  vigor.  Ilis  inllucnce 
has  declined,  and  many  of  his  band  have  left  him,  and  joined  the 
standards  of  other  chiefs. 

This  personage  has  been  the  husband  of  no  less  than  eleven 
wives,  and  the  father  of  a  numerous  progeny.  With  all  the  savage 
love  of  trinkets  and  finery,  he  had  his  full  share  of  the  personal 
vanity  which  nourishes  that  reigning  propensity,  and  of  which  tbe 
following  anecdote  affords  a  striking  illustration.     In  one  of  the 

(  43!i  ) 


434 


BIOGRAPHY. 


drunken  l)roils,  which  have  not  boon  unlVo(|\iont  in  the  lattor  part 
of  Ills  life!,  a  (iyht  occurretl  between  liiiiiself  and  anotiier  person,  in 
whicli  llie  nose  of  the  chief  was  severely  bitten.  The  Reverend 
Mr.  Lowry,  superintendent  of  the  scliooi,  on  hoarin<r  of  tiie  acci- 
dent, paid  the  chief  a  visit  of  condolence,  hoping  that  an  opportunity 
might  offer,  which  niiglit  enable  him  to  give  salutary  advice  to  the 
sufferer.  lie  was  lying  with  his  head  covered,  refusing  to  be  seen. 
His  wife,  deeply  afiectod  by  the  misfortiuie,  and  terrified  by 
the  excited  state  of  her  husl)and's  mind,  sat  near  him,  weeping 
biti  M-ly.  When  she  annoiuiced  the  name  of  his  visitor,  tlio  chief, 
still  concealing  his  mutilated  features,  exclaimed  that  he  was  a 
ruined  man,  and  desired  only  to  die.  He  continued  to  bewail  his 
misfortune  as  one  which  it  would  be  unworthy  in  a  man  and  a 
warrior  to  survive,  and  as  altoLn>thcr  int()leral)!e.  His  only  conso- 
lation was  found  in  the  declaration  tliat  his  young  men  .should  kill 
the  autlior  of  his  disgrace  ;  and  accordingly  tlie  latter  was  scon  aft-r 
murdereil.  tliough  it  is  not  known  l)y  whom.  Had  not  this  injury 
biHMi  of  a  kind  by  which  tlu;  vanity  of  Wakami  Haka  was  aflectec', 
and  his  self-love  mortilied,  it  might  liave  been  Ibrgotten  or  ])assed 
over;  we  do  not  ^ny  forf/irtit,  as  lliis  word,  in  our  acceptance  of  it, 
e.vpre.sses  an  idea  to  which  the  savage  is  a  stranger,  [{egardiiiii  an 
\nircvenu-ed  insult  as  a  trader  views  an  outstanding  dcl)t,  whicii  he 
niav  demaud  wiiencver  he  can  lind  tiie  d('lin(|ueiit  parly  in  a  con- 
dition to  pay  it.  he  is  .satisfied  i)y  a  suitable  conipensatiou,  if  the 
injury  i)e  of  a  character  to  admit  of  compromise.  Had  his  wife,  for 
instance,  eloped  with  a  lover,  or  his  brother  been  slain,  tlie  offender 
niiulit  have  ])urchased  peace  at  the  expense  of  a  few  horses;  but 
wliat  price  could  indemnify  a  great  chief  for  the  lo.ss  of  his  no.sc  ? 
Happily,  tht;  wound  proved  iiut  slight,  and  Wakaun  Haka  lost 
neither  his  no.>;e  nor  liis  reputation. 

We  do  not  intend,  howev(>r.  by  the  last  remark,  tr  do  injustice 
to  this  chief,  who,  on  another  occasion,  nursed  his  resentment,  under 
the  inllueuce  of  highly  creditable  feelings.     We  have  had_ occasion 


WAKAIJN  HAKA. 


•1:5.) 


to  niPiition  elsewhere,  a  striking-  incident  of  border  warfare,  which 
occnrred  in  1S;J4,  when  a  war-])iirty  of  Saukies  and  Foxes  surprised 
a  small  encampment  of  the  \Vinuel)agoes,  and  massacred  all  the 
persons  within  it,  except  one  gallant  ho}-,  about  twelve  years  of  age, 
who,  after  discharging  a  gun,  and  killing  a  Saukie  brave,  made  his 
escape  by  swimming  the  Mississippi,  and  brought  the  news  of  the 
slaughter  to  Fort  Crawford,  at  Prairie  du  Chien.     That  boy  wjts 
the  son  of  Wakaun  llaka,  and  among  tlie  slain  was  one  of  the  wives 
and  several  of  the  children  of  this  chief    The  exploit  was  considered 
as  conferring  great  honor  on  the  lad,  as  well  as  upcm  his  family, 
and  the  father  evinced  the  pride  which  he  felt  in  his  son,  while  he 
lamented  over  the  slain  meml)ers  of  his  family  with  a  lively  sensi- 
bility.    An  exterminating  war  was  expected  to  follow  this  bloody 
i\ei-i\ ;  but  by  the  ])rompt  interposition  of  the  agent  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  military  officers,  a  treaty  was  held,  and  a  peace 
brought  about,  chieily  through  the  politic  and  conciliatory  conduct 
of  Keokuk',  the  head  man  of  the  offending  nation.     Forty  horses 
were  presented  to  tlie  Winiiebagoes,  as  a  full  compensation  for  the 
lo.ss  of  about  half  that  number  of  their  people,  who  had  been  mas- 
sacred in  cold  blood ;  the  indemnity  was  accepted,  the  peace  pipe 
was  smoked,  and  the  hands  of  the  murderers,  cleansed  of  the  foul 
stains  of  midnight  assassination,  were  clasped  in  the  embrace  of 
amity  by  the  relatives  of  the  slain.     Wakaun  Ilaka,  with  a  disdain 
for  so  unworthy  a  compromise,  which  did  honor  to  his  feelings  as  a 
husband  and  father,  stood  aloof,  and  refused  either  to  participate 
in  the  present,  or  to  give  his  hand  to  tlie  Saukies  and  Foxes. 

The  Snake-Skin,  like  many  other  influential  men  among  the 
Indians,  has  always  been  obstinately  opposed  to  all  changes  in  the 
condition  of  his  people,  and  has  declined  taking  any  part  in  the 
benevolent  plans  of  the  American  Covernment,  or  of  individuals, 
for  tlie  civilization  of  his  race.  ()n  one  occasion,  when  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  school  called  liis  attention  to  the  subject,  and  lu-ijed 
the  advantages  which  the  Winnebagoes  might  derive  from  those 


436 


BIOGRAPHY. 


benevolent  measures,  his  reply  was,  that  "the  Great  Spirit  iiad  niado 
the  skin  of  the  Indian  red,  and  that  soa])  and  water  could  not  make 
it  white."  At  another  time,  when  urged  to  use  his  iulluence  to 
procure  the  attendance  of  the  Indian  youth  at  tlie  governiu'jnt 
school,  he  replied  that  "their  cliildren  were  all  asleep,  and  could  not 
be  waked  up."  These  answers  were  figurative,  and  contain  the 
substance  of  the  objection  invariablj  urged  by  the  savages  on  tiiis 
subject:  "Tiic  Great  S-pirit  lias  made  us  what  we  are— it  is  not 
his  will  that  we  should  be  changed  ;  if  it  was  his  will,  he  would  let 
us  know;  if  it  is  not  his  will,  it  would  l)e  wrong  for  us  to  attempt 
It,  nor  could  we  by  any  art  change  our  nature." 


KISllKEKOSH. 


Among  the  Fox  braves  who  upjjearod  at  Wasliington  in  1837,  on 
tiie^  occasion  to  which  wo  have  ah-cady  alluded,  was  Kishkekosh. 
or  The  man  with  one  kg,  whose  name,  however,  is  not  descriptive 
of  his  person;  for  we  discovered  no  deficiency  in  the  limbs  of  this 
individual.  At  the  council  which  we  described  in  tlie  life  of  Keokuk, 
wliere  the  Sauks  and  Foxes  were  confronted  with  the  Sioux,  Kish- 
kekosh  appeared  in  the  same  iiideous  headdress  which  is  exhibited 
in  the  picture,  and  the  attention  of  the  spectators  was  stron<rlv  at- 
tracted by  this  novel  costume.    The  bulfalo  horns  and  skull  uiron  the 
man's  head  would  have  rendered  him  conspicuous  in  a  grave  assem- 
bly collected  for  a  .serious  purj)ose,  in  tlie  presence  of  a  nun.erous 
and  polished  audience  ;  but  tiiis  was  not  sulBcient  for  Kishkekosli, 
who,  wiien  his  party  were  all  .seated,  stood  up  on  a  bench  behind' 
them,  .so  as  to  display  bis  full  stature,  and  attract  the  special  notice 
of  all  eyes.     It  was  seen  that  this  exhibition  was  not  lost  u])on  the 
Sioux,   who   whispered,   exchanged   glances,  and   were  evidently 
disturbed.     Those  who  were;   merely   spectators,  and  who    knew 
nothing  of  the  personal  history  of  the  strange  beings  before  them, 
wore  amusetl  at  what  tiiey  supposed  to  be  a  piece  of  savage  buflbon' 
ery,  and  could  not  help  smiling  at  the  hulicrous  contrast  betueen 
tlie  Tincouth  ligure  perched  up  against  the  wall,  and  the  silent 
motionless  group  of  grave  warriors  who  sat  before  him  arrayed  in' 
all  the  dignity  of  barbarian  pomp. 

We  learned  afterwards  that  tlic  intrusion  of  the  buffalo  head  was 
not  without  its  meaning.    It  seems  that,  on  a  certain  occasion,  when 


488 


BIOGllAPHY. 


some  sLirniishing  was  goini,'  on  biitwecn  these  hostile  triltcs,  Kisli- 
lu'kosli,  with  a  siiifrle  cumpiiiiioii,  charged  suddenly  upon  th(! 
(Sioux,  rushed  into  their  ranks,  killed  several  of  tlieir  warriors,  and 
retreated  in  safety,  bringing  olf,  as  a  troi)hy,  this  buffalo  head,  which 
Kishkekosh  tore  from  the  person  of  one  of  the  slain.  Such  exploits, 
which  are  not  unconnnon  among  the  Indians,  resemble  some  of 
the  deeds  of  anti(|uity,  or  those  of  the  knights-errant  of  a  later  age. 
Acts  of  desperate  valor,  leading  to  no  practical  advantage,  but 
undertaken  in  mere  bravado,  must  often  occur  among  a  people  who 
follow  war  as  their  main  employment,  and  wht)  place  a  iiigh  value 
on  nulitary  glory.  Among  savages  especially,  or  any  rude  nation 
whose  warfare  is  predatory,  and  made  up  chiefly  of  the  exploits  of 
individuals  or  small  parties,  such  deeds  are  estimated  extravagantly, 
not  only  on  account  of  the  courage  and  conduct  shown  in  them, 
but  because  they  alford  themes  for  biting  sarcasm  and  triumi)hant 
boastinti-  over  their  enemies.  Such,  doubtless,  was  the  light  in 
■  which  this  deed  of  Kishkekosh  was  viewed  by  his  tribe ;  and  when 
they  were  to  meet  their  enemies  hi  a  public  council,  at  which  a 
large  number  of  persons  were  present  besides  the  hostile  parties, 
they  tauntingly  displayed  this  trophy  with  the  deliberate  purpose 
of  feeding  their  own  hatred  and  insulting  their  foeraen. 


CIIONCAPE. 


CiioxcAPE,  altlionol,  of  tho  Otos  Iril.p,  (Ottoe,  as  it  is  commonly 
spcllod,  and  abraijs  ]H-.,ii„nncfd,)  of  wiiioli  he  is  socon.l  chief,  is 
called  the  %  Kaiisus,  ii  niinie  horrowed  from  another  Irihe.  We 
know  but  little  of  the  history  of  this  chief  The  Otos,  or  Ottocs, 
own  and  occupy  a  conntry  on  the  Missouri,  east  and  south  of  the 
houu.laryline  dividini^r  tj,e  8auks  and  Foxes,  and  Joways,  from  the 
Sioux.  They  were  trouhlesome  durin-j:  the  war  of  1812  with  Great 
Britain,  and  fre(|uently  liarassed  and  interrupted  the  trade  between 
Missouri  and  New  Mexico 

Tfie  first  treaty  between  the  United  States  and  the  Otos.  tribe 
was  made  in  1817.    It  is  entitled,  "  A  Treaty  of  Peace  and  Friend- 
ship."    The  preamble  restores  the   parlies  to  the  .same  relations 
which  they  occupied  towards  each  otJK^r  previous  to  the  war  with 
Great  Britain.     The  lirst  article  declared,  that  all  injuries  or  acts 
of  hostility  shall   be  mutually  forgiven  and  forgotten.     The  second 
establishes  perpetual  peace,  and   provides,  that  all  the  friendly  rela- 
tions that  existed   i)ewteen  the  jir.rties  before  the  war,  shall  be  re- 
store I.     In  th.'  third  and  last,  ti.e  chiefs  and  warriors  acknowledge 
themselves  and  their  trihe  to  be  under  the  protectiort  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  of  no  other  nation,  power,  or  sovereign 
whatever. 

A  second  treaty  was  cr)ncluded  between  the  United  States  and 
the  Otos  and  .Mis.souries,  at  the  (Jouncil  Bluffs,  in  1825.  In  this 
treaty  those  tribes  admit  that  they  reside  within  the  territorial  limits 
of  the  United  States;  acknowledge  the  supremacy  of  the  United 


•')l! 


uo 


itKXiUAl'llY. 


States,  ami  chiirn  llicir  iinitcfiidti ;  llicy  also  admit  the  ri^dit  (i(  tlio 
L-iiited  States  tn  rt'^ulali'  all  trade  aiul  iiitcriMiirse  uilli  tliciii. 
Utlier  coiidilious  are  iticliicled  in  this  treaty;  amonjr  lliese,  tlie 
mode  of  proceed iiiLT,  in  ease  injiirv  is  ddiie  \o  either  party,  is  settle(|, 
as  is  a  ('(Midilidii  in  relation  ti>  stolen  pro[)ert\  ;  and,  especially,  it 
is  agreed,  that  the  Olos  will  not  supply  Ity  sale,  exchange,  or 
presents,  any  nation  or  trihc,  or  hand  of  Indians,  not  in  amity  with 
the  I'nited  States,  with  gnns,  ammniiilion,  or  other  implements  of 
\var. 

Among  the  names  of  the  eiiihteen  signers  to  this  treaty,  we  find 
Hhuuk-co-pce.  'This  is  onr  (  honcape.  Tiie  scribe  who  wrote  his 
name  Shnnk-co-pce,  w  roti'  it  as  it  sonnded  to  his  ears.  (.'Ikjh  sounded 
to  lam  as  Shtiiih — and  tliis  may  he  regarded  as  one  of  the  thousand 
instances  serving  to  illustrate  the  dilliciilty  of  handing  down  the 
iiiiriie  of  an  Indian.  'I'he  ear  of  the  writer  of  it  governs,  an<l  the 
pen  obeys.  Anotlcr  •.crib(>,  of  some  other  country,  would,  )irobali|\-, 
iji  following  tiie  sound  of  this  Indian's  name,  have  written  it  'I'shaii- 
ko-pee ;  and  thus  uc  might  have  bad  three  Indians  manufactured 
out  of  one. 

The  raj)idly  increasing  trade  between  .Missouri  and  the  Me.vicau 
dominions,  and  the  frequent  interruptions  which  it  had  e.\'[ierienced 
from  the  Otos,  and  other  Indian  trilx's,  tlie  grounds  of  whose  more 
distant  excursions  lay  in  the  route  of  its  prosecution,  suggested  the 
importance  of  this  treaty.  Hut  the  conditions  of  a  treaty  with  distant 
and  roving  l)an(ls  of  Indians,  w  ho  arc  as  wild  ai\d  imtamed  as  their 
builalo,  were  not  relied  upon  as  of  snUii-ieiit  strength  out  of  which 
to  erect  i)arriers  for  the  protection  of  the  tradi^  which  the  treaty  of 
18'jr)  was  maiidy  intended  to  seciu'c.  There  was  one  other  resort 
on  which  greater  reliance  was  placed;  and  that  was,  to  select  and 
bring  to  Washington,  and  through  our  populous  cities,  some  of  the 
leading  chiefs  of  those  bands  whose  pacilic  dispositions  it  had 
become  of  such  moment  to  secure.  Among  those  who  wen;  s«'!ected 
•or  tiiis  object,  was  ('lionca])e.      W C  are  to  infer  from  this  that  1 


le 


CIIONCAIM': 


4U 


was  a  man  of  infliiniiv  !it  liomc ;  ami   ihal   lie  liad  tli )ii(Mlciicn 

of  liis  Irilu'.  It  is  to  iho  reports  of  siicli  u  oiio  alono  tliat  the  Indians 
will  list.'u;  and  it  was  t'li!  dcsii,ni  that  lie  and  his  comrades  siionld 
not  only  witness  our  nnmhers  and  our  power,  but  that  the  reports 
tiiat  sliould  l)e  made  of  hoth,  on  their  return,  should  operate  upon 
the  fears  of  their  trihes,  find  thus  remier  more  secure  our  trade  with 
the  Mexican  frontier. 

'i'liat  ('lionca|)e  had  won  tro]ihies  in  war  is  no  more  to  lie  doubted 
than  tiiat  lie  had  heen  in  contact  with  the  ^rri/zly  l)ear,  wliose  claws 
lie  wore  as  an  ornament  around  his  neck,  in  token  of  his  victory 
over  that  animal.  But,  while  he  was  at  Washington,  he  was  peace- 
ful in  his  looks,  and  orderly  in  Ids  conduct.  Nothini,'  occurred 
while  on  his  visit  to  that  city  to  mark  him  as  a  chief  of  any  extra- 
ordinary talents.  The  impression  he  loft  on  our  mind  was,  that  lie 
was  entitled  to  the  distinction  which  his  triho  had  conferred  upon 
him,  in  making  him  a  chief,  and  to  be  chosen  as  one  of  a  i)artv  to 
come  among  n.s,  behold  our  strength,  and  report  uj)on  it  to  his 
people.  He  said  nothing,  which  we  heard,  that  is  worth  recording, 
and  did  nothing  of  which  he  or  his  tribe  should  bo  ashamed. 


KISIIKALWA. 


KisiiKAi.WA  is  nominally  and  legally  the  head  chief  of  the  Sliaw- 
aiioc  nation,  l)iit  is  too  far  advanced  in  life  to  take  any  active  part 
in  its  allairs.  lie  is  l)elieved  to  be  between  ei'^dity-six  an-l  ninety 
years  of  age,  and  is  living  with  a  daughter  upon  the  Kansas  river, 
altlnngh  liis  band  have  settled  in  the  neighboriiood  of  tbe  Sal)in(! 
'I'lio  family  of  this  chief  is  numerous  and  ver}'  distinguislied  :  he 
is  one  of  seven  brothers,  all  renowned  warriors,  one  of  wiioin  was 
tbe  celebrated  HIack  Hoof,  who  died  m  1^;}1,  at  tlie  advanced  age 
of  from  ninet\-ti\('  to  one  hundred  xcars. 

This  ciiief  was  about  seventeen  yi-ars  of  age  when  he  engaged, 
for  the  tirst  time,  in  a  war-party ;  and  on  tiiat  occasion  he  made 
himself  conspicuous  for  his  bravt^ry.  'I'be  ex|)e(lition  was  of  a  cha- 
racter which  strikingly  illustrates  tlie  bistory  of  savage  life.  The 
Shawanocs  were  a  warlike  triiie,  tliat  roved  tbrougii  the  whole  of 
the  t(  riitorv  nortli-wcst  of  tbe  (Miio,  and  were  continually  engaged 
in  hostilities,  at  first  with  the  Kntrlisli,  and  suliserpiently  witb  llinr 
descendants,  wliile  they  maintaineil  friendly  relations  with  the 
rn-ncb  Tbe  latter  occupied  Fort  Massa( ,  a  military  station,  ovi 
tbe  Udrtbcrn  slmrc  nf  tbe  Ohio,  not  far  above  its  junction  witli  tlie 
Mississippi  ;  and  were  at  variance  with  die  Chickasaws  wiin  lost 
no  (ip|ior1unit\  to  do  tbem  an  injury.  .Among  other  stratagems 
which  were  practised  by  thost(  Indians,  was  one  that  was  frecpieiitly 
ado,, ted  by  all  tiie  tribes,  and  in  which  tli(>  savages  were  very  ,suc- 
ccssi'iil.  A  party  of  warriors,  disguised  in  the  skins  of  deer,  or  of 
bears,  would  ajipear  creeping  upon  the  shore  of  the  river  opposite 


BIO(;UAPHY. 


4t:? 


the  forf.     Tlie  widtli  (;f  llie  strciim  \v;is  sn  frrciit  as  to  rondor  it 
qiiitc!  possihlo  to  pr;i(!liso  tlic  dccojjlioii  uitli  (jjood  eirccl,  even  ifllin 
iiiiitiilioH  of  tlic  aiiiiriiils  liad  hecn  less  porftTt  than  it  really  wa.s. 
Hilt  l!ic  Indians,  aooiistonicd  to  notice  tlie  habits  of  the;  bnite  <Tea- 
tion,  and  versed  in  all  the  strategy  of  sylvan  sport,  and  border  war, 
played  their  jjarts  with  admirable  fidelity  to  nature.     Sonietimcs 
the  French  saw  a  number  of  bears  issuing  from  the  forest  wliicii 
elotheu  the  bank,  and  walking  sluggislily  over  the  narrow  maruin 
of  sand  that  fringed  the  river;  and  sometimes  a  herd  of  tieer  was 
seen,  half  disclosed  among  the  bushes,  as  if  reclining  in  the  shade, 
and  gazing  upon  the  placid  stream.     'The  ardent  Frenchmen,  un- 
suspicious of  danger,  would  cross  the  rive:  hastilv  in  |)\irsnit  of  the 
supposed  game,  and  fall  into  ai;  aml)uscade  prejiarcd  bv  tiie  (  hicka- 
saws.     The  8hawajioes  heard  of  several  massacres  w  liiiii  occurred 
in  this  manner,  and  determined  to  avenge  their  friends.     A  war- 
|)ar1y  proceeded  secretly  to  the  ncighljorhood  of  the  tort,  and  \\aitcd 
for  tlie  ap])earance  of  the  coiniterfeit  game,  which  they  knew  could 
not  impose  upon    them,   however   it  had  dcceiveil  the   Furopcaiis. 
It  was  not  long  before  the  trick,  which  had  often  proved  snci-e.ssful, 
was  again  attempted;  th(>  minuc  animals  app(>ared  u[)on  the  shore; 
the  I''rench  soldiers,  apprised  of  the   |)lan  of  their  allies,   bnsi((l 
themselves  in  preparing  a  i)oat  as  if  to  cross  the  river,  while  the 
Shaw.vnoes,  having  made  a  circuit  through  the  woods,  and  passed 
the  river  at  a  distant   point,  threw  themsclvts  into  the   rear  of  tlu! 
enemy.     The  Chickasaws  were  surprised  and  deteated  \\illi';rcat 
loss.     On  such  expeditions,  the  metlivine  Ihhj,  suppoM'd  to  possess 
sui)ernatural  virtues,  is  carried,  during  the  inarch  from  iiome,  bv 
the  leader  of  the  enterpri.se,  whose  station  is  in  tlie  van  of  the  party; 
but  on  tlic  retiirn,  this  nivsterions  batr  is  borne  l)v  the  warrior  who 
has  ac(niircd   the  !:rcat(>st  distinction  duriiiL;-  that  e\|icilitioii.  or.  in 
soiiH"  cases,  liv  him  w  Im  Killed  the  first  eiiemv,  and  the  per.-sou  thus 
honorecl  marches  tbrcninst.     The  youim'  Kishkalwa.  on   this  oci'a- 
sion,  returned  in  the  piniirl  station  of  bearer  of  the  medicine  ba<'-. 


Ui 


KISIIKALWA. 


Anotlier  advnitm-o  occurnxl  a  year  or  two  afterwards,  tlio  recital 
of  wliicli  will  serve  to  throw  some  light,  as  well  ou  the  character 
of  Kishkalwa  as  ou  the  peculiarities  of  the  ludiau.  The  beautiful 
and  fertile  couutrv,  which  uow  forms  the  State  of  Kentucky,  was 
not,  previous  to  it.-  o<'cupatioii  iiy  the  whites,  inhabited  by  any  trdie 
of  Indians,  but  was  a  common  huntin«i;-ground  and  battle-field  l()r 
the  various  sin-rounding  triijes,  whose  tierce  conllicts  gave  to  this 
loveh  reiiion  the  name  of  "the  dark  and  bloody  groimd."  The 
Indian  who  ventured  among  those  forests,  was  prepared  alike  for 
the  chase  and  for  war.  The  daring  spirit  of  the  young  Kishkalwa 
led  him  into  Kmtuckv,  to  hunt  the  i)ullalo,  then  abundant  on  the 
southern  shore  of  the  Ohio;  but  before  he  had  sueceeded  in  getting 
anv  game,  he  was  discovered  ami  pnrsiied  l)y  a  jiarty  ol  ho.Mili! 
Indians.  Jieing  ;done,  resistance  would  have  l)een  unavailinii'.  and 
his  onlv  hop(>  of  esca])e  was  in  llii^ht.  W  hdr  running  with  great 
speed  ihrnuiih  the  woods,  a  vestment,  which  eouslituteil  his  only 
article  of  clethimi-.  became  entanLiled  in  tlic  bushes,  and  was  torn 
oil':  but  as  the  pursuit  was  very  hot.  he  had  not  time  to  recover  it. 
Having  reached  the  river  opposite  I'ort  .Massac,  he  lied  his  gun  to 
his  head  with  his  loiiix  hair  and  swam  across.  .Vmnnu'  the  Shawa- 
noes  it  is  hiiihlv  disreputable  in  a  warrior  to  throw  away  his  arms 
or  cintbiui;-.  when  in  lliuht  from  ;in  I'neuiy,  as  the  act  mdicales 
cowardice,  and  supplies  a  1ro|)l;\  to  the  jjiirsuer.  '•  Soiw."  they 
s-|\.  •■hilt  ,111  (  )s;iije.  w  dl  thus  disencumber  liimself.  thai  lie  mav 
ruii  the  fister  frnm  his  foes."  When  Kishkalva,  therefore,  arrived 
in  sai'etx  amouii'  his  friends,  who  had  seen  his  pursuers  r.illou  iii;^ 
him  to  the  water's  eil'je,  they  no  snnner  noticed  the  aoM'nce  ot  the 
>j:irnient.  llian  a  number  of  jokes  w  ere  passed  at  liisexpiiix'  I'e 
e\|ilained  llie  manner  of  the  loss,  and  the  urgency  nf  the  case,  but 
his  companions.  percei\inu  tiial  he  was  annoved,  all'ected  not  to  be 
satislied,  and  di  plored  with  mock  gravity,  that  so  fun^  a  yomiL'-  man 
should  l)e  so  destitute  of  activity  as  to  be  obliged  to  throw  away  his 
clothes  in  order  to  outrun  his  enemies. 


BIOGRAPHY. 


41.-) 


As  the  ;u-cu.sa1i{)i>  implied  a  want  of  courage,  Kislikalwa  .said  that 
he  would  .siiow  tiiat  he  was  no  coward.     Accordingly  ho  set  off,  a 
few  days  Jifterwards,  alone,  in  search  of  some  enemy  on  whom  he 
could  prove  his  pro^^•e.ss.     In  die  forest  of  Kentucky,  late  in  the 
nigiit,  he  discovered  a  fire,  by  which  slept  two  Indians,  who  Mere 
easily  distinguished  as  belonging  to  a  ho.stilc  tribe,    lie  approached 
near  to  the   i  with  a  stealthy  tread,  then,  crouching  like  the  panther, 
waited,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  Indian,  until  the  Hrst  indica- 
tions of  the  approaching  dawn  of  day,  when,  taking  a  deliberate 
aim,  he  shot  one  of  his  foemen,  and  rushing  upon  the  other,  de- 
spatched him  in.stantly  with  the  tomaiiawk.     'i'liis  ex|)l.)it  u-ained 
him  great  credit:  although  it  would  seem  characterized  only  bv  the 
lowest  species  of  cunning,  and  to  be  destitute  of  all  the  higher  attri- 
butes of  warfare,  it  was.  according  to  the  notions  of  the  savage,  not 
only  in  exceedingly  good  taste,  but  a  fnie  specimen  of  courage  and 
military  talent;    for   the   Indian   awards  the  highest  honor  to  the 
success  wliicii   is  gained  at  the  least  expense,  and  considers  everv 
stratagem  meritorious  which  leads  to  tiie  desired   result.     Still  ids 
companions  continued  to  jeer  him  upon  the  lo.ss  of  a  garment  in  the 
(brnu'r  adventure.     Xettled  by  these  jokes,  \kh\  determined  to  re- 
trieve his  re])utation,  he  .secretly  raised  a  j)arty  of  four  or  five  young 
men,  wliom   he  led  on  another  expedition.     Tliey  were  successful, 
and  returned  with  seventeen  scalps. 

'I'ho.se  who  imagine  that  the  apparent  apalhy  of  the  Indian  clia- 
racter  indicates  the  entire  ah.sence  of  a  |)ropeiisilv  for  nurili,  will  be 
surprised  to  learr.  that  the  reinarkalile  success  which  att.  iidcd  the 
arms  of  Kislikalwa,  failed  to  blinit  the  point  of  that  unhappv  jest, 
uliich  had  become  a  source  ol'  serious  inconveiiieuce  to  this  L;reat 
warrior.  The  pcrtiiiacilv  with  which  his  com|);niions  continued  to 
allude  to  this  subject,  evinces,  on  their  part,  a  strono-  perception  of 
the  ludicnnis,  and  a  relish  for  coarse  raillery,  which  balanced  even 
their  flecided  admiration  of  warlike  (pialities,  whil(>  tlie  extreme  sen- 
sitiveness of  Kishkahva  shows  how  highly  the  Indian  pri/e.s  his 


446 


KISMKALWA. 


honor.     Successful  as  he  had  Ix'cn,  he  conceived  it  necessary  that 
tlie  blood  of  his  enemies  should  continue  to  flow,  to  l)lot  out  a  stain 
aflixod  upon  him  in  the  mere  wantonness  of  hoisterous  humor.    He 
now  took  the  field  in  a  more  imposing  manner;  and  having  raised 
a  party  of  twenty-five  warriors,  went  forth  in  pursuit  of  the  enemies 
of  histribe,  travelling  only  in  the  night,  and  lying  in  ambush  during 
the  day.     They  proceeded  down  the  southern  shore  of  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi,  until  they  reached   the  Iron   Banks,  near  which 
thev  came  upon  an  encampment  of  hostile  Indians,  consisting  ot 
one   hundred    and    fifty  meii,   women,   nnd  children.     Kishkalwa 
halted  his  party,  and  having  reconnoitercd  tlie  enemy,  directed  tiie 
mode  of  attack.     His  nien  were  so  stationed  as  to  surround   the 
camp,  and  remained  concealerl  until   the  dawn  of  day,  when,  at  a 
signal  given,  the  dreadful  war-whoop  was  uttered  by  the  whole  in 
concert,  and  the  assailnnts   rushed  in.     'i'lie   astonished  enemy  iie- 
lieving  themselves  hemmed  in  by  superior  nund)ers,  lied   in  every 
direction;  thirty-three  men  were  killed,  and  seventeen  women  ami 
children  taken  prisoners.     Kishkalwa  returned  in  triumph  witii  his 
captives  and  the  .scalps  of  the  .slain.     On   his  arrival,  nrany  of  tin" 
tril)e  who  had  lost  thi'ir  relatives  in   battle,  clamoronslv  (leniiuided 
veni'eance  upon  the  prisoners;  but  Kishkalwa  declured  tliat  not  a 
drop  of  their  blood  should  be  spilt.     He  consented  to  tlie  adoption 
of  the  ca|)tives  into  the  families  of  tiio.se  who   had   been  killed  in 
i)attle,  and   successfully  protected   these  unfortunates  from  injury. 
Among  them  was  a  beautifu'  young  woman,  whom  Kishkalwa  jjre- 
sented  to  the  chief,  to  In;  his  wife,  on  condition  that  orders  should 
be  given,  prohibiting  the  repetition  of  the  jest  wlncii   had   so  long 
galled    lis  pride.     'I'iie  proclamation  was  accordingly  made,  in  tlu' 
manner  in  which  all  public  acts  are  amiounced   in  the  Indian  vil- 
lages, by  a  crier,  who  j)assed  about,  declaring,  in  a  loud  voice,  that 
Kishkalwa  having  pnwed  that  he  could  not  have  thrown   away  his 
clothes  out  of  fear,  no  one  was  permitted  diereafterto  re|)ea1  or  allude 
to  that  event.     The  reader  will  decide,  wliether  this  warrior's  sue- 


:iIO(JUAl'IIY. 


■U7 


cess,  or  his  judicious  prcstnt  to  tlu;  cliit-f,  .•oiilrihiited  most  to  relieve 
liim  from  so  auiioviiijf  a  dilemma. 

Wiiatcver  inii^lit  have  been  llie  elleet  upon  hi.s  private  eiiaraeter, 
or  social  intercourse,  these  successful  exj)editioiis,  in  which  not  a 
sinirle  life  hud  been  lost,  establislied  the  reputation  of  Kislikalua 
as  a  brave,  skilful,  and  fortunate  warrior,  and  he  was  soon  after 
raised  to  the  dignit)-  of  principal  brave,  or  war  chief  It  luav  be 
proper  to  remark  here,  that,  in  his  old  atre,  uothiii<r  so  vexed  the  fild 
chief  as  an  allusion  to  the  story  which  distressed  iiim  so  much  in 
his  youth,  and  that,  idthough  more  than  half  a  eenturv  has  passed 
siii.-e  the  occurrence,  it  would  unt  be  safe  in  any  but  an  intimate 
friend  to  mention  it  in  his  presence. 

This  chief  took  j)art  in  the  ijreat  l)attl(^  at  I'oint  Pleasant,  between 
tiie  Virifinians  imder  (ieneral  Lewis,  and  a  larire  Indiaji  force, 
consistintr  of  Shawanoes,  Delawares,  Min«,^oes,  and  otiier  tribes; 
but,  unwilling  to  be  again  embroiled  with  the  Americans,  towards 
whom  he  was  well  disposed,  or  to  tal<(!  any  part  in  tiie  contest 
which  was  about  to  be  commenced  between  Great  Britain  and  lier 
colonies,  he  removed  v-ilh  a  part  of  the  tribe,  called  the  Sawekela 
band,  to  the  south,  in  1774,  and  settled  among  the  Creeks.  This 
band  returned  again  to  the  shores  of  the  Ohio,  in  17i)0,  but  took 
no  part  in  the  war  of  17!)  1,  nor  in  that  of  I81>^,  nor  has  this  portion 
of  the  tribe  ever  been  engaged  against  the  Americans,  since  the 
decisive  battle  of  Point  Pleasant. 

During  the  last  war,  a  part  of  the  Sauk  and  Fox  nations,  who 
had  been  in  the  habit  of  trading  with  the  British,  were  removed 
from  Illinoi.<  to  the  interior  of  Missouri,  at  their  own  request,  that 
they  might  not  be  within  the  reach  of  Briti.sh  inlluence.  But  rest- 
less by  nature,  unal)le  to  remain  neutral  in  lime  of  war,  anil  re- 
ceiving no  eiuouragement  to  join  the  Americans,  who  from  principle 
declined  emp.oying  the  savages,  they  took  up  the  hatchet  against 
us,  and  after  committing  s.)ni(!  dej)redations,  lied  to  Canada.     The 

alarm  created  by  these  hoKtilities,  in  which  the  Weas  and  Piunku- 
S7 


._. 


n 


448 


KISIIIvAI.WA. 


sliuwis  were  hcliovi'd  to  participato,  iiulucrd  llu;  Govcriior  (jf  .Mis- 
souri 'I't'rrilory  to  call  out  the  militia,  ami  to  rcijurst  the  assistance 
ul'  llu,'  Slia\vau()(;  aud  JJilawai'u  Indians.  A  partv  ol'sixtv-six  war- 
riors was  accortlingly  raised  l)}'  Kishkahva,  and  llii' other  cliii-ls,  and 
placed  under  the  command  of  General  Dodyc. 

'i'he  Sauks  and  Foxt's  liavinii'  lied  belore  tiu;  arrival  oi'the  mili- 
tia, a  small  I'orl  was  surrounded  in  wliieli  it  was  supposed  that  the 
W  eas  and  Piankeshuws  were  concealed;  but  in  the  mornint^  it  was 
(omid  that  they  too  had  retreated.  'I'liey  were  pursued,  overtaken, 
and  made  prisoners,  'i'hi'  object  of  General  l)odt;e,  m  their  cap- 
ture, was  to  protect  aud  no!  to  injure  them.  The  inhabitants  of  tlie 
frontier  are  at  all  times  ipiick  to  take  umbrage  at  an\  sujjposed 
hostility  on  the  jiart  of  the  Indians,  aLfainst  whom  they  have  lonif 
lieen  accustomed  to  entertain  a  nuu^led  feeling-  of  fear  and  hatred; 
and  believin<i-  that  llu;  party  now  in  their  power,  had  been  eipiallv 
as  i^iiilty  as  the  !<anks  and  ]''oxes,  the  udlitia  were  excited  to  such 
a  state  of  iudiuuation.  that  they  could  with  dillicultv  be  restrained 
Imm  tiie  iierpelratiou  of  what  they  sup|)osed  to  be  a  just  revenue, 
(jeneral  DodL^c  with  a  decision  that  did  him  honor  as  a  man  and 
a  soldier,  imnieiliately  placed  the  captives  under  the  protection  of 
a  disciplined  volunteer  company  from  fSt.  Louis,  and  of  the  Indians 
under  Kishkalwa.  This  resolute  conilnct  had  the  desired  elfei'.t  ; 
aud  no  further  molestation  wasojlered  to  the  unlbrtunate  prisoners, 
\.  ho  were  treudiliuu-  with  dre:id.  \\r  have  the  testimony  of  a  oen- 
tlemau  who  was  himself  a  vulunteer  in  this  expedition,  that  a  liuer 
set  of  men  was  seldom  seen  than  the  baud  of  fShawanoes  and  J)ela- 
wares.  to  which  this  anecdote  has  reference,  and  that  their  whole 
coudmt  during  this  canipaif,ni  was  most  orderly,  decorous,  and 
proper. 

Disappointed  iu  the  desired  objects  of  their  vengeance,  the  militia 
set  fire  to   tlii'    fort,  which  had    been  abandoned   b\-  the  Weas  and 


V 


laukeshaws,  and   gave   vent   to   the  wantonness  of  their  excited 


feelings,  by  shooting  a  I'uw  dogs  of  the  Indians,  that  lingered  about 


BIOUKAPHJf. 


•iU) 


tho  j,.vinis,.s.  On,.  ..f  t|„.,e  faitlir.il  crcMtures  was  can-lit  by  a 
soldier,  wi.o  so  far  lor^rot  himself  i„  tl„,  fury  of  tlio  nioiiu'iit,  as  to 
tiin.u-  111."  auin.al  i„t.,  th,.  Ilr,.,  fn„„  uiijch  hr  .•s,.ai„.<l,  lunvlin;r. 
uith  |.a,M.  Some,  of  ti.e  l.ystau.lers  lau-hed  ;  but  Kisl.kahva,  |r.." 
ceiVHicr  that  an  Indian  hoy  joined  in  the  nierrinient,  instantly 
dm-krd  him,  and  exj)laiued  in  a  fevv  words  the  impropriety  of 
making  sport  of  the  miseries  of  a  h(>li)Iess  l)rute. 

'I'lie   last    nnlitary  adventure  in  which  Kishkalwa  engaged,  was 
in  a  war  underlakeu  by  the  Chcrokees,  Delawares,  and  ShLanoes, 
against  the  Osag.^s,  in   1818.     In  a  battle  which  was  fought,  and 
which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  Osages,  this  chief  is  represented 
as  having  displayed  his  nsual  bravery  and  prudence,  although  he 
must  then  have  been  burdened  by  th.'  weight  of  upwards  of  dghly 
years.     In  attacking  their  en.Muies,  it  is  customary  with  tiie  Osages 
to  rush  to  the  onset  with   great    impetuosity,  uttering  the  savage 
yell  with  deaf.'uing  concert,  and  endeavoring  to  win  the  battle  by 
the  terrors  attending  the  first  blow;   Init  failing  in  this  object,  they 
usually  abandon   the  contest.     All   the   Indian   tribes,   indeed,  act 
upon   this  system,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  .-.eeking  vi.'tory  by 
cunning   rather  than    force,  .and   avoiding   the    ha/.ar.l   of  a  battle 
which  must  be  contested  upon  ecpial  terms.     Kishkab-  •-,  aware  of 
tins  trait  in  the  character  of  ins  race,  and  knowing  that  the  O.sages 
pursued   this  mode  of  warfare  more  invariably  than   his  own  fol- 
lowers, exhorted  them  to  stand  firmly,  and  resist  the  first  attack: 
"Do  not  lie,..l  their  .shouts,"  said  he;   "  they  are  but  the  yells  of 
cowardly  wolvs,  who,  as  soon   as  they  come  nc-ar  ...lough  to  look 
you  m  the  eye,  will  flee;  while  if  you   turn   y.uir  backs  on  them, 
they  will  devour  you."     This  counsel  evinced  the  .sauacitv  of  one 
who  had  ob.served   human   nature,  and  could  adapt  his  own  mea- 
sures to  the  ciivumstances  in  which  ho  was  placed.     The  result 


vcrihed 


liis  |)rc(licti 
party  of  Kishkalw; 


on. 


O 


.sages,  twice  as  numerous  as  the 


rushed  to  Ihc  attack  with  their  usual  i 


inpetuo- 


sity.and  with  lou.l  shouts;  but  failing  in  making  an  impression 


460 


KISIIKALWA. 


in  the  first  onset,  recoiled  before  the  .steady  firmness  of  their  op- 
ponents, and  fled  in  confusion,  siiflering  ixreat  loss  in  killed  and 
prisoners. 

Kishkahva  visited  Washington  in  1825,  as  one  of  a  delegation  of 
chiefs,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Menard,  a  highly  respectable  agent 
of  the  Indian  Department,  to  whom  we  arc  indebted  for  the  details 
included  in  the  foregoing  biograi)hical  sketch. 

We  have  said  that  this  chief  was  the  brother  of  Black  Hoof; 
but  we  are  not  certain  that  they  n)ight  not  have  l)een  consin-s-gcr- 
man,  as  the  term  brother  is  applied  among  the  Indians  to  this  degree 
of  relationship. 


END  OP  VOL.  I. 


